This document discusses eco-friendly resorts and their role in environmental conservation. It provides definitions of eco-friendly resorts and lists their key characteristics, such as using non-toxic cleaning products and renewable energy sources. Examples of top eco resorts in India are given, along with details about their environmental features and prices. Criteria for qualifying as an eco resort include dependence on the natural environment and contribution to conservation. The green hotel movement is encouraging more hotels to adopt sustainable practices.

1. Eco-friendly
Resorts
• Role in environmental
conservation
• Features
• Examples
Melvin Antony Vellappally

2. What is eco friendly resort?
•Eco Friendly Resort or Green
Hotel is an accommodation that has
made important environmental
improvements to its structure in order to
minimize its impact on the environment.
•The basic definition of a green resort is
an environmentally responsible lodging
that follows the practices of green living.

3.  These hotels have to be certified green by
an independent third-party or by the state
they are located in.
 Traditionally, these hotels were mostly
presented as Eco Lodges because of their
location, often in jungles, and their design
inspired by the use of traditional building
methods applied by skilled local craftsmen
in areas, such as Costa Rica and Indonesia.
 Today, eco hotels also include properties in
less "natural" locations that have invested
in improving their "green" credentials.

4. Characteristics of eco hotel
Green hotels follow strict green guidelines to ensure that their guests are
staying in a safe, non-toxic and energy-efficient accommodation. Here are some
basic characteristics of a green hotel:
•Housekeeping uses non-toxic cleaning agents and laundry detergent.
•100% organic cotton sheets, towels and mattresses.
•Non-smoking environment.
•Renewable energy sources like solar or wind energy.
•Bulk organic soap and amenities instead of individual packages to
reduce waste.
•Guest room and hotel lobby recycling bins.
•Towel and sheet re-use (guests can tell housekeeping to leave these
slightly used items to reduce water consumption).
•Energy-efficient lighting.
•On-site transportation with green vehicles.
•Serve organic and local-grown food.
•Non-disposable dishes.
•Offers a fresh-air exchange system.
•Grey-water recycling, which is the reuse of kitchen, bath and laundry
water for garden and landscaping.
•Newspaper recycling program.

5. Top eco hotels in India
1. Coconut Lagoon, Kerala Backwaters
2. Banasura Hill Resort, Wayanad, Kerala
3. Moutain Trail, Mukteshwar, Uttarkhand
4. Kaama Kethna Ecological Village, Agonda, Goa
5. Wildernest Nature Resort, Goa
6. Shergarh Tented Camp, Kanha National Park
7. Yoga Magic Retreat, Anjuna, Goa
8. Annapara Home Stay, Wayanad, Kerala
9. The Duna Eco Beach Hotel, Pondicherry
10. Our Native Village, Bangalore

6. Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom, Kerala
Coconut Lagoon, where water and history are the defining
elements, is a CGH Earth property. The beauty of
Coconut Lagoon is that it's accessible by boat, making it a
wonderful escape from the world. The stately resort
beautifully captures the Kerala of old. Sunset cruises,
backwater cruises and Ayurvedic spa are some of the
activities on offer.
Eco Features: Conversion of waste into fuel, chemical
free zone, use of vermiculture and composting, organic
farming, cows to eat the grass.
Price: Expect to pay 15,000 rupees

8. Banasura Hill Resort, Wayanad, Kerala
 Asia's largest "Earth" resort, Banasura is
predominantly constructed from mud known as
rammed earth. Its 31 rooms are nestled on a 35 acre
eco-friendly farm, surrounded by rich nature. Guests
can enjoy hiking through the countryside to visit
waterfalls, caves, and a tribal village. The resort also
has a rejuvenating Ayurvedic spa.
 Eco Features: Constructed from mud and recycled
wood. Natural light is exploited to the fullest. CFL
lamps minimize energy consumption. A bio-gas plant
recycles organic waste and fires the resort's
kitchens.
 Price: Rates start from 6,000 rupees

10. Mountain Trail, Mukteswar, Uttarakhand
 As its name suggests, Mountain Trail is situated
amidst a thick mountainous forest and orchard,
around an hour east of Nainital. Mountain Trail has 10
charming cottage style rooms, with attached
bathrooms. Guests can enjoy a wide range of
activities including picnics, bird watching, jungle
walks, bonfires and fresh mountain air. There's also a
library, children's play area, and stunning sunset point
on the ridge just behind the hotel.
 Price: 4,000 rupees
 Eco Features: 100% local labor & services, energy
conservation, naturally sourced water, recycled waste,
organic garden, chemical free.

12. Kaama Kethna Ecological Village,
Agonda, Goa
 This remarkable eco tourism venture, around two
kilometers from Agonda beach in south Goa, was
established in 2005 by a German couple. The aim is to
create a self sufficient place that offers an alternative way
of living. There are five secluded garden cottages that can
be completely opened to the outside, so you can bring
nature in. Alternatively, you may prefer to stay in a tree
hut. The cuisine at the farm restaurant focuses on
vegetarian, vegan and raw food. Various health and well
being activities and workshops, including yoga, are held.
 Price: From around 2,000 rupees per night
 Eco Features: Natural materials used in construction,
permaculture projects, organic farm, creation of jobs for
locals.

14. Wildernest Nature Resort, Goa
 Wildernest is a wonderfully serene nature resort, set on over
450 acres of forest land on the Goa, Maharastra and Karnataka
state borders. Tranquility is in abundance there. The resort has
16 eco-friendly cottages, built in simple rustic style with wood
paneling and tiled floors inside. Guests can enjoy nature walks,
bonfires, folk dances, and village excursions.
 Price: Rates start from 3,800 rupees
 Eco Features: Constructed out of eco friendly materials, eco
friendly washing and hair products, no plastic, operates
conservation programs.

16. Shergarh tented camp, M.P
 What better way to visit the jungle than to stay in
exclusive tented accommodations on the fringe
of Kanha National Park. Shergarh has six well spaced
"tents", each with a large front porch, attached
bathroom and hot water. It's run by a naturalist, so
you're assured of an authentic experience. Open from
August to May.
 Price: 5,500-7,500
 Eco Features: Responsible tourism by reducing
waste, use of plastic, and impact on the surrounding
area. Meals prepared with home-grown vegetables,
local produce and fish farmed from the nearby lake.
Local labor.

18. Yoga Magic Retreat, Anjuna, Goa
 As well as being eco friendly, Yoga Magic is one of
the best yoga retreats in Goa. It has a magical
atmosphere, tucked away amidst coconut palms and rice
paddy fields near Anjuna beach. It aims to provide a
relaxing experience that's as close to nature as possible.
Open from mid November to mid April each year.
 Price: around 6,000 rupees.
 Eco Features: Use of sustainable traditional materials:
rammed earth, cow dung, stone, bamboo and coconut.
Solar power. Composting eco toilets. Off-site composting
of all organic waste.

20. Annapara Home Stay, Wayanad, Kerala
 If you love home cooked food and personalized service,
all in a lush natural setting, Annapara is for you! This
delightful homestay has only five rooms, and provides
an intimate opportunity to get back to nature. There's a
tea factory next door, and a wilderness trail that weaves
through sprawling tea & coffee plantations and a vast
stretch of rainforest. In the evening, stargaze while
enjoying a bonfire and music. The food is traditional
Kerala cuisine.
 Price: 4500 per couple per night, all meals included.
 Eco Features: Self generated electricity, water sourced
from natural springs, recycled waste, composting,
negligible use of plastic, local labor and services.

22. Dune Eco Beach Hotel, Pondicherry
 The Dune is a very interesting concept indeed.
Situated on a sprawling 35 acre property, with a
beachfront location just north of Pondicherry, The Dune
has 30 villas and 20 rooms. They're all unique and
themed. It's quite amazing. Arty types will love it! The
Dune is fun, funky, and is home to the Artists in
Residence program as well. The property also has a
Vedic Spa.
 Price: Rates from 5,500.
 Eco Features: Solar heated water, reclaimed timbers,
waste water treatment plant, organic farm.

24. Our Native Village, Bangalore
 You can get a taste of an Indian village in Our Native
Village, around one hour from Bangalore. Our Native
Village is a fantastic place for a family holiday with a
difference! The resort offers a range of unique
activities such as cow milking, bullock cart rides,
kite flying, bicycle riding, organic farming.
Comforts aren't overlooked though. The resort's Soul
Spa is the perfect place to rejuvenate.
 Price: From 5,500 rupees per night.
 Eco Features: Renewable energy, eco construction,
waste recycling, organic produce, chemical free
pool.

26. The Orchid, Mumbai
 Eco Features: It is a zero garbage hotel, among the
first in the country to achieve this goal. The hotel has
an ongoing vermiculture project on site that not only
eliminates the garbage but also takes care of the
gardens in and around the hotel.
 Price: Rs.9600
 Features: Asia's First Five Star Hotel to win the Ecotel
Certification.
• Solid Waste Management.
• Energy Efficiency.
• Water Conservation and Preservation.
• Environmental Commitment.
• Employee Environmental Education and Community
Involvement.

28. CRITERIA
An eco resort must usually meet the following criteria:
 Dependence on the natural environment
 Ecological sustainability
 Proven contribution to conservation
 Provision of environmental training programs
 Incorporation of cultural considerations
 Provision of an economic return to the local community

29. Green Hotel Movement
 Jumping on the sustainability bandwagon, more
hotels are adopting a “green” attitude for all future
building projects. They are willing to make the
upfront investment with the expectation of reaping
long-term benefits – both financially and from a
public relations vantage point.
 All the hotels are undertaking measures like:
• Recycling.
• Educating staff.
• Buy environmentally- friendly paper.
• Buy organic, fair trade, cruelty-free guest
amenity products whenever possible.