Tuesday 22 October 2013

Rashtrapati Bhawan now illuminated by solar power

Photo courtesy: green.in.msn.com

The Rashtrapati Bhawan (residence of the Indian President and the largest residential palace in the world) has now earned itself an ISO 'green building' certification for having emerged as India's first urban habitat with excellent eco-management systems. 

 An year after she assumed office, the Honourable President of India, Ms. Pratibha Patil initiated the “Roshni Programme,” which was aimed at making the estate a plastic-free zone and pushed for introduction of energy-efficient practices. 

The Rashtrapati Bhawan also uses solar energy through photovoltaic panels that have been installed in the new auditorium, health centre and President's secretariat officers' institute! 100 solar streetlights have been installed in the estate and solar-powered water heating devices are being installed in residences.

According to an official, this has resulted in savings of approx Rs. 6 lakh in a single year! 

This can be used as a model to tell people what is achievable and without a separate budget allocation,” Ms. Patil said. 

The estate has also seen initiation of a host of other eco-friendly measures like waste segregation and recycling programme, rain-water harvesting programme coupled with the concept of zero wastage of water.

An increase in green cover, tree census, protection of flora and fauna has also been undertaken and a nature trail spread over 75 acres has been developed to showcase its bio-diversity.

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