The President of India's Estate goes Green!

Bureau Veritas Certification (India) certifies The President of India’s Estate for Environment Management System (ISO 14001:2004):

Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of President of India, located in New Delhi, is the largest residence of any Head of the State in the world. It has an estate which sprawls over 340 acres.  (an acre is 4840 square yards).     

Bureau Veritas Certification (India) certified this Estate, for EMS (ISO 14001:2004).

President’s Estate has the majestic Palace called the Rashtrapati Bhavan, has  5387 trees of 150 species, and 84 animal species, a Solar Power Station that can take the entire load of the Estate’s auditorium, large Ceremony Halls, Mogul Gardens, Biodiversity Park, Bio-gas plant, School, Stables and living quarters for President’s staff including body guards.

Under the President’s directive, in 2008, the estate launched “Project Roshni”, an initiative covering a number of eco-friendly projects such as recycling of water, rain water harvesting system, solar panels, a bio gas plant, and a zero waste management system, making  the Estate a plastic-free zone.

   The Mogul Gardens

BV Certification won this contract against stiff competition in a two stage selection process.  The certificate was handed over by BVCI Director Mr. R. K. Sharma to the Secretary, in the presence of the President, in an official ceremony on 25^th July 2010 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.   

Certificate handing over ceremony:  25 July 2010 : 

India is the largest democracy in the world, and the Head of State being present during the ISO certificate handing over ceremony was an unprecedented event.

ISO certification for Rashtrapati Bhavan

President Pratibha Patil looks on, Bureau Veritas India director R.K. Sharma (first from left) presents the ISO certificate for the President's Estate to Secretary Christy Fernandez in New Delhi on Sunday the 25^th July 2010.

Also present on the occasion were Union Minister of Urban Development Jaipal Reddy, Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Tourism Kumari Selja, Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

Prominent daily newspapers carried this information across India.