The 'green building' concept is gradually gaining momentum in India. Already, there are five green buildings certified as per the rating system of LEED (Leadership in energy and environmental design), developed by the US Green Building Council. Around 25 other buildings in the country are now registered for such certification.
Prominent among them is an IT park, Technopolis in Kolkata, that is likely to be certified by LEED shortly. Also on the list are Hyderabad International Airport and Microsoft India Development Centre's third building on its Hyderabad campus that are being built as per the green building requirements.
A green building typically applies practices like harvesting energy and water and using environment-friendly materials in its design, construction, operation and maintenance so as to maintain and sustain the environment.
Speaking to Business Standard on the sidelines of 'Save the environment' seminar organised by the Taj Group of Hotels, Hyderabad, S C Kumar, senior advisor, Confederation of Indian Industry and a LEED accredited professional, said, "In countries like the US, tax and insurance incentives are given to promote the concept of green buildings. We need to provide such incentives in India as well." The seminar was organised on the occasion of World Environment Day.
Kumar added that the awareness level with regard to the green building revolution was growing in the country.
"For instance, in Chennai, the government has made it mandatory for every building to adopt rainwater harvesting. The Centre has also recommended the use of fly-ash in construction of future buildings," he said. Fly-ash is a waste product generated by thermal power stations.
The Hyderabad international airport is also eyeing a green building certification from LEED.
According to Vishwanath, lead-safety, health and environment, Hyderabad International Airport Ltd, said, "We will have a sewage treatment plant to recycle waste water and are also proposing a reverse osmosis plant in the passenger terminal building. We are trying to ensure maximum utilisation of sunlight in the building as well."
Keith Dias, senior manager, corporate affairs, Microsoft Corporation (India), said at the seminar, "The third building at our Hyderabad campus is slated to be ready in 2008. This will take our total built-up area to 1.3 million sft in Hyderabad. We will be going for a gold rating for the third building.
Our initiatives for environment protection and sustenance include rainwater harvesting, waste paper recycling, power saving techniques and the likes."
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