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

If yes, please attach.     NO

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

If yes, please attach.     NO

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

Annapara is a boutique hideaway in the lap of nature with just 5 rooms and surrounded by about 500 acres of plantations. We provide our guests all  basic comforts such as spacious rooms, fresh white sheets & towels, cleanliness & hygiene and 24hours running hot water in the bathrooms with modern amenities. Traditional Kerala cuisine is served in our alfresco dining area. A badminton court is available with racquets and shuttles. The view and breeze can be enjoyed from our Gazebo. Bonfire & music in the evening. It’s a short soft trek to a natural waterfall and rock pool. Our ‘Vythri Wilderness Trail’ takes the guests past sprawling tea & coffee plantations, through a vast stretch of rain forest towards the majestic Chembra peak. For the adventurous, a trek to Chembra peak can be arranged with camping overnight.

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

Annapara, being perched on top of a hillock, enjoys a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It’s also in close vicinity of Chembra peak, the tallest in Wayanad. We are 3.5 km off the national highway tucked away into the mountains, surrounded by rain forests on one side and tea/coffee plantations on the other. Several picturesque trails with breath taking views along which one can enjoy walking. Wayanad is a district in the northern part of Kerala and is blessed with pristine natural beauty.

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

To share with our guests a beautiful location in the mountains and enjoy nature up close. To afford an opportunity to our guests to experience the local culture, warm and instinctive hospitality of the local people and the local cuisine. While doing so, to employ local people and give them an opportunity to proudly showcase the customs and traditions thereby preserving their cultural heritage.

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:

_X_  use natural air circulation and fans, not air conditioners
_X_  use natural light during the day
_X_  minimize use of fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines and equipment
___  use “on demand” or solar heating for hot water
_X_  air dry clothes/linens
_X_  wash dishes by hand
_X_  use energy efficient appliances and electronics
_X_  use low wattage fluorescent light bulbs
_X_  change linens, tablecloths, napkins upon request
_X_  switch off lights when not used
Other energy conservation activities? Please list:
Our requirement of energy is only for 4 hours in a day from 1830 Hours to 2230 Hours for basic lighting and charging of camera batteries, laptops and mobile phones, and also to play music for the entertainment of our guests on request. We run a small domestic generator (350 Watts) for this purpose.

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:

_0_  solar
 5%  wind
_0_  hydro
95% generator
_0_  public utility
Other energy sources? Please list:
Nil
100% TOTAL
How were these proportions developed?
Hours of use.

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) = 3   

Note : Energy is used only for 4 hours per day consuming about 2 to 2.5 litres of gasoline. 

Water

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

_X_  low flow faucets and showerheads
_X_  low water use toilets
_X_  change linens, towels, tablecloths, and napkins upon request
_X_use table mats that can be wiped and not laundered
__  use biodegradable laundry detergent, dish soap and hand soap
__  treat swimming pool with chlorine-free processes  - no swimming pool
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:

60%  spring
___  river
10%  rain
___  reuse gray
___  public utility
Other water sources? Please list.
30% Well
100% TOTAL

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

Waste water management:
_X_  septic tanks
___  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:

_X_   use durable service items, e.g. cups, glasses, dishes, tableware, storage items
_X_   buy fresh and local to reduce packaging and emissions from transportation
_X_   purchase in bulk to reduce packaging
_X_   recycle paper, glass, plastic, aluminum
___   minimize emissions from fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines & equipment      
_X_   zero waste in the kitchen
_X_   serve local water, not bottled water
___   cleaning products are biodegradable
_X_   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:

_X_   minimize tree removal when building
_X_   use only botanical (plant-based) herbicides & pesticides in garden & grounds
___   maintain organic gardens as food source for resort
___   use biodegradable cleaning products
_X_   minimize external illumination
_X_   take additional specific actions to preserve the local habitat.  Please list actions and projects:
Natural vegetation is retained for the most part which enables the natural flora and fauna to flourish. There is minimal landscaping and it is done specifically on areas required for utility.
 
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:

_X_  hire staff residing near the resort          100% local nationals
_X_  use local suppliers                                  90% purchased goods produced locally
_X_  re-invest resort income locally               60% income re-invested locally
_X_  pay above local prevailing wage
___  pay into local social security
___  provide health insurance or coverage
_X_  use regular staff meetings to educate staff about sustainable processes throughout the resort, in the garden, with waste disposal, etc
___  provide educational awareness programs for staff, guests, suppliers and other members of the local community
_X_  provide sustainable transport to work for staff. Staff live within walking distance.
_X_  take additional specific actions to support the local community. Please list actions and projects.
Hire local vehicles with local drivers and local guides for sight seeing and tourism activities. Hire local troupes to showcase traditional folklore.
 
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 5):                        3.8

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

• Please describe your single most important eco achievement:

Conserving the natural vegetation, retaining the natural terrain, training the local people to serve guests from different parts of the world and exploring scenic spots around the property and making them accessible to take our guests.

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

Plan to experiment with hand cranked LED lanterns and explore their utility value.

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

Seems quite comprehensive as it is, without being too complicated.