THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Three properties of the CGH Earth Group bagged the 2008 Kerala State Pollution Control Awards for environment-friendly tourism practises. While Marari Beach in Alappuzha picked up the first prize, Coconut Lagoon in Kumarakom and Spice Village in Thekkady came up in the second and third places respectively.
Health Minister P K Sreemathi gave away the awards to Michael Dominic, Director, CGH Earth, on World Environment Day.
The award guidelines included percentage of the organisation’s investment towards installation of pollution control measures as well as measures taken towards the reduction and recycling of wastes.
The CGH Earth Group has termed its holidays `experience holidays.’ The emphasis is on respect for nature, the environment and the community. ``The Group has an almost missionary zeal to protect the earth - even leading the Group, formerly known as the Casino Group of Hotels, to rename itself as CGH Earth,’’ Michael Dominic said.
Coconut Lagoon, the runner-up, is built with brick, split bamboo and elephant- grass. The Marari Beach property, the winner, is designed after the local fishermen’s huts. Spice Village, which bagged the third prize, is modelled after the dwellings of the local tribal hamlets.
``Conservation measures are a critical part of CGH Earth’s operations and this includes bio-digesters and waste treatment plants that convert effluents into clean fuel, rain harvesters dug in discreet corners to take advantage of Kerala’s abundant rainfall and vermiculture pits that ensure that even waste is used to enrich the environment,’’ Michael Dominic said.
No effluents are released into the sea and the manure created goes into its organic farms, he said.