The Orchid bags TERI Award 2002- 2003 The Orchid, Asia's first ecotel bagged the TERI (The Environment & Resources Institute) Corporate Environmental Award for the year 2002-2003 in Category I (below Rs 100 crore turnover) recently at a function held in New Delhi.

This is the 25th environmental award to be won by the hotel, thus creating a record of sorts by becoming the only hotel in the world to receive the most number of awards in the environmental section. It is also the youngest hotel chain in the country to win so many environmental awards in its limited span of operations since its inception in 1997.

Environment Minister, T. Baalu presented the award to Chairman and Managing Director, The Orchid, Mr Vithal Kamat and Technical Director, The Orchid, Mr. Param Kannampilly. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairperson and former Chief Justice of India Mr. J.S. Varma was also present at the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, T. Baalu praised the efforts taken by the Orchid to conserve the environment and introducing the ecotel concept in Asia. The TERI corporate Environmental award acknowledges the efforts taken by corporates to establish transparency and accountability in their operations and play an active role in the development of society. CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) of the applicants is calculated by taking into account the various activities conducted by the participants in the year. Keeping this in mind TERI awards series identifies the best practices and innovations of Indian corporates on fulfilling their responsibilities towards diverse stakeholders.

Expressing his feelings on the achievement, the Chairman and Managing Director, Vithal Kamat said, Commenting on the Orchids long list of awards he said, 'I feel extremely proud that after winning all the awards in the hospitality industry we have graduated to the corporate sector too. With this award we have won all the possible awards in the environment sector'. The fine balance maintained by The Orchid between guest comfort and environment protection has been so effective that we can proudly say that Orchid has been won all the environment awards in the country. The global recognition that the Orchid has received is a testimony to its sincerity of purpose, said by Mr.Param Kannampilly , Technical Director