• Do you have a written environmental or social sustainability policy?     YES/NO

If yes, please attach.

• Do you have a written environmental management system?                  YES/NO

If yes, please attach.

• Describe the property – aim, size, facilities, amount of land owned and leased  (150 words max)

Our property is spread over 4 acres of Tea Gardens in the mountains at an altitude of 2300 metres. We have 2 boutique bungalows on it in addition to our family home that’s also located on the same premises. The bungalows ensure privacy and fabulous views of the panoramas around and are appointed and maintained to the highest known standards in hospitality.

• Describe the location, including distance to nearest town and size of town (100 words max)

The location of our property is amidst tea plantations and trees. We have about 450 indigenous sub-tropical rain forest trees that have been planted over the last 8 years. The nearest towns are Coonoor and Ooty. One is 13kms from us and the other is 20kms from us and they are both a half hour drive from us.

• Describe WHY you made the decision to develop an eco resort (100 word max)

We as a family have always wanted to preserve and regenerate nature. We have been involved and are involved in many eco practices and preservation campaigns in our area. The eco resort was a natural extension to showcase to visitors what we strive for in the field of eco conservation.

Introduction to the Butterfly Club’s Eco Rating

The Butterfly Club Eco Rating has five equally-weighted categories:

• Energy;
• Water;
• Recycling and waste;
• Land and nature conservation; and
• Community.

Each category has five levels, designated by one to five butterflies.  Through self assessment, resort operators completing this rating will determine their own levels within each category based on their responses to items listed below.  

Two categories – energy and water – have similar rating systems with Levels 1 and 2 addressing conservation of existing resources, and Levels 3, 4 and 5 addressing creation of renewable energy or capturing water. 

Level five in every category also requires written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record consumption; (2) test and apply additional conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific targets.   We require a copy of your policies if you achieve level 5 in any category.

Energy

Levels 1 and 2 - conservation: Check all that apply:

Y  use natural air circulation and fans, not air conditioners
Y use natural light during the day
Y minimize use of fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines and equipment
Y  use “on demand” or solar heating for hot water
Y air dry clothes/linens
Y wash dishes by hand
Y  use energy efficient appliances and electronics
Y use low wattage fluorescent light bulbs
Y change linens, tablecloths, napkins upon request
Y  switch off lights when not used
Other energy conservation activities? Please list:
 
Level 1 = four or fewer energy conservation activities

Level 2 = five or more energy conservation activities

Levels 3, 4 and 5 - renewable energy: Indicate proportion (%) of energy from each source:

50  solar
0  wind
10  hydro
 0 generator
 40 public utility
Other energy sources? Please list:

100% TOTAL
How were these proportions developed?

Level 3 = renewable energy is employed and is less than 1/3 of all energy

Level 4 = renewable energy constitutes 1/3 – 2/3 of all energy

Level 5 = renewable energy constitutes 2/3 or more of all energy.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record energy consumption; (2) test and apply additional energy conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific energy targets.  

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Energy Level 5 (required).

Your Energy Level (select 1 – 5) =   4

Water

Levels 1 and 2 - conservation: Check all that apply:

Y  low flow faucets and showerheads
Y  low water use toilets
Y  change linens, towels, tablecloths, and napkins upon request
Y use table mats that can be wiped and not laundered
N  use biodegradable laundry detergent, dish soap and hand soap
N treat swimming pool with chlorine-free processes
Other water conservation activities?  Please list.

Level 1 = three or fewer water conservation activities

Level 2 = four or more water conservation activities

Levels 3, 4 and 5 – capture and treat fresh water and manage waste water. Capture water: Indicate proportion (%) of water from each source:

90%  spring
0 river
5 %rain
5%reuse gray
0%  public utility
Other water sources? Please list.

100% TOTAL

Fresh water treatment: how is captured fresh water treated?
Y  naturally.  Indicate method: charcoal, ultraviolet light, other? List:                                   
N  chemically.  List chemicals used:

Waste water management:
Y  septic tanks
N  cesspools
___  other? List methods:

Level 3: Water is captured (from springs, rivers, rain or prior use) and constitutes less than 1/3 of water from all sources.  Water is treated chemically.  Water disposal does not minimize damage to coral reefs and rain forests

Level 4:  Captured water constitutes 1/3 to 2/3 of all water.  Water is treated naturally. Water disposal minimizes damage to coral reefs and rain forests

Level 5:  Captured water constitutes more than 2/3 of all water.  Water is treated naturally. Water disposal minimizes damage to coral reefs and rain forests.   In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record water consumption; (2) test and apply additional water conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific water targets.  

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Water Level 5 (required).

Your Water Level (select 1 – 5):  4

Recycling and waste

Check all that apply:

Y   use durable service items, e.g. cups, glasses, dishes, tableware, storage items
Y   buy fresh and local to reduce packaging and emissions from transportation
Y   purchase in bulk to reduce packaging
Y only paper__  recycle paper, glass, plastic, aluminum
Y minimize emissions from fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines & equipment      
N  zero waste in the kitchen
Y   serve local water, not bottled water
N   cleaning products are biodegradable
Y   compost organic matter
Other methods to recycle waste? Please list.

Level 1 = four or fewer recycling activities

Level 2 = five recycling activities

Level 3 = six recycling activities

Level 4 = seven recycling activities

Level 5 = eight or more recycling activities.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record recycling and waste; (2) test and apply additional recycling and waste conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific recycling and waste targets.  

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Recycling and Waste Level 5 (required).

Your Recycling and Waste Level (select 1 – 5):  4 

Land and nature conservation

Check all that apply:

Y  minimize tree removal when building
Y   use only botanical (plant-based) herbicides & pesticides in garden & grounds
Y   maintain organic gardens as food source for resort
N   use biodegradable cleaning products
Y   minimize external illumination
Y   take additional specific actions to preserve the local habitat.  Please list actions and projects:

 
Level 1: one or two land and nature conservation activities

Level 2: three land and nature conservation activities

Level 3: four land and nature conservation activities

Level 4: five land and nature conservation activities

Level 5: six or more land and nature conservation activities.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record land and nature conservation activities; (2) test and apply additional land and nature conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific land and nature conservation targets.  

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Land and Nature Conservation Level 5 (required).

Your Land and Nature Conservation Level (select 1 – 5):  4

Community

This category addresses policies and activities regarding staff, guests, suppliers and other members of the community. 

Check all activities that apply:

Y hire staff residing near the resort          100% local nationals
Y  use local suppliers                                90% purchased goods produced locally
Y re-invest resort income locally            30% income re-invested locally
N  pay above local prevailing wage
Y pay into local social security
Y  provide health insurance or coverage
Y  use regular staff meetings to educate staff about sustainable processes throughout the resort, in the garden, with waste disposal, etc
Y provide educational awareness programs for staff, guests, suppliers and other members of the local community
Y provide sustainable transport to work for staff
N take additional specific actions to support the local community. Please list actions and projects.

Level 1: one or two community activities

Level 2: three to five community activities

Level 3: six to seven community activities

Level 4: eight to nine community activities

Level 5: ten or more community activities.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record community activities; (2) test and apply additional methods to support the community; and (3) work towards specific community targets.  

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Community Level 5 (required).

Your Community Level (select 1 – 5):  4

YOUR OVERALL ECO SCORE (add your level for each category and divide by 5and enter the result with the decimal point, e.g. 3.6):  4

We have three final questions which are not part of the eco rating: 

• Please describe your single most important eco achievement:

Planting of 450 indegenous sub tropical rain forest trees in an area where there is large scale deforestation activity taking place.

• Indicate additional sustainable practices that you plan to institute within the next 6 months.

Tribal Handicraft sales and exhibitions, and more tree planting

• Is there anything else you would like to add to this eco rating?