In an effort to establish world-class hygiene and sanitation standards across hotels, resorts, and homestays, the Union Ministry of Tourism is preparing to introduce a new rating system for the hospitality sector. This initiative, named the Swachhata Green Leaf Rating, aims to encourage owners and operators of lodging services to adopt best practices, focusing on improved and secure sanitation facilities, effective faecal sludge management, proper segregation of solid waste at its source, and the promotion of alternatives to single-use plastic.
Officials familiar with the plan emphasize that the rating system is designed to raise awareness and foster collaborative efforts to achieve common goals within the tourism and hospitality sector. Compliance with safe sanitation practices outlined in guidelines will form the basis for the rankings, with objectives including the prevention of water body pollution and the maintenance of a clean environment. The officials note that while toilets in hotels and restaurants may be clean, there is a concern about the disposal of faecal sludge, which, if mishandled, could lead to environmental damage. The initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the NITI Aayog’s Travel for LIFE campaign, will involve state teams from Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) and the tourism department organizing workshops to educate stakeholders on the concept, process, and desired outcomes of the rating system. The phased introduction of the scheme will commence with a pilot program in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, followed by expansion to other states, with plans to implement the project in Neil Island of the Andaman Islands.
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