ESFP: C-1

7.4 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY & FACILITY PLANNING

CHAPTER-1 INTRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL MESSAGE

Definition: The sum total of all surroundings of a living organism, including natural forces and other living things, which provide conditions for development and growth as well as of danger and damage.

Environment is a term that comprises all living and non-living things that occur on Earth or some part of it. Environment is also defined as the circumstances or conditions that surround one (surroundings) or the totality of circumstances surrounding an organism or group of organisms, especially:(a) The combination of external physical conditions that affect and influence the Growth, development, and survival of organisms;(b) The complex of social and cultural conditions affecting the nature of an Individual or community.

What surrounds us? External factors and forces (conditions) that affect an organism or a group of organisms;

• Physical (air, water, soil)• Biological (biosphere: plants; animals)• Societal (our culture; political system)The elements of environment can be broadly divided into two; ABIOTIC and BIOTIC environments.

The elements of environment can be broadly divided into two; Abiotic and Biotic environments.

I. Abiotic environmentThe abiotic environment is composed of non-living physical and chemical components/factors like wind, temperature, humidity, water, minerals, soil, sediment and gases etc. The abiotic components are further divided into three;• Geosphere/Lithosphere (sphere of rocks/soil/ sediment)• Hydrosphere (sphere of water)• Atmosphere (sphere of gases)

II. Biotic or biological environmentBiotic environment is composed of all the living components–e.g. Flora (plants),Fauna (animals) and microorganisms. The biotic component consists of,• Producers: green plants and other organisms that carry on photosynthesis• Consumers: Organisms that feed on other organisms• Decomposers: organisms that feed on dead matter and break it down to release Chemical energy back into the soil for plants to re-use them. E.g. fungi and bacteria.

1 BY RAVICHANDER REDDY – ASST.PROFESSOR TJC-BHM

ESFP: C-1

The Environment (Protection) Act was enacted in 1986 with the objective of providing for the protection and improvement of the environment. It empowers the Central Government to establish authorities [under section 3(3)] charged with the mandate of preventing environmental pollution in all its forms and to tackle specific environmental problems that are peculiar to different parts of the country. The Act was last amended in 1991.

A successful environmental programme requires that the environmental message be communicated to all stakeholders in your hotel enterprise. This includes the staff, business partners, guests, and the local community.

STAFFThe commitment of all staff to the programme is crucial. To obtain this commitment the programme must be publicly supported by top management who must give backing and direction. An environmental coordinator should be appointed, a working group selected with representation from all the important departments and a programme to build environmentalism into staff culture should be implemented. The success or failure will depend on the leadership skills of the group leader.

Raise awareness Attend local and corporate training courses, expand knowledge, and plan training of the staff

Build commitment review attitude towards commitment, encourage staff suggestions, and create ‘ownership’

Provide support provide technical support, allocate budget, include new responsibilities in job descriptions, induction of new employees

Reward and recognize achievements to be recognized and rewarded: letter from the general manager, employee record enhancement, publicity for the employee in the company magazine, cash incentive, contests like ‘idea of the month’

Celebrate success well presented leaflet-summarizing achievements, performance, and success stories. Sharing with other hotels, local newspapers will enhance image in the community

Practical steps foster individual sense of responsibility, conduct training programmes, adopt hotel slogan, post interesting trivia and statistics in special bulletin board, car poor, tree planting programme, environmental patrol to check waste management, water leaks etc.

2 BY RAVICHANDER REDDY – ASST.PROFESSOR TJC-BHM

ESFP: C-1

BUSINESS PARTNERS

The range of goods used by the hotels is vast and ranges from construction materials to furniture and fittings. They also use services from advertising agencies to banks. This interdependence can be used to challenge business partners to help in the environmental mission and to look at how they can change their own activities. More hotels demanding eco friendly products will lead to more supply and cheaper goods.

GUESTS

Guests are increasingly aware of the eco friendly practices and more and more people are basing their business decisions on this. Thus good public relations with respect to the practices followed in the hotel can translate to a responsible behavior and respected clientele.

COMMUNITY

Hotels are already active in the community. Projects funded by the hotel can benefit the hotel and the community like providing garbage cans, beautifying parks and in turn lead to more brand awareness.

Some activities that can be taken up

Urban Beautification campaign Beach park clean up Alternate energy sourcing Organic farming sponsoring Rainwater harvesting Sponsorship of youth festivals Training films Support of arts and artisans using traditional method

3 BY RAVICHANDER REDDY – ASST.PROFESSOR TJC-BHM