Chief Secretary virtually launches SGLR for Pahalgam on pilot basis

Jammu, Dec 11: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today virtually launched the voluntary adoption of the Swachhta Green Leaf Rating (SGLR) in the hospitality sector by the hoteliers of the famous tourist destination Pahalgam.

The said rating is the collaborative initiative recently taken by the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS) and Ministry of Tourism, GoI to assess the tourism infrastructure like hotels, resorts, home stays on the parameters of safe sanitation practices outlined in the guidelines issued under travel for LIFE campaign.

In his remarks, Dulloo exhibited his contentment with Pahalgam being first in the country chosen for the introduction of this assessment system on a pilot basis for rating our hospitality infrastructure for hygiene and sanitation voluntarily by these installations there.

He called the rating system unique and innovative based on scientific temper. He reiterates that such initiatives are highly recommended for enhancing the sustainability of our tourist spots. He made out that since tourism is one of the mainstays of our economy it has added significance for us to preserve the pristine assets of beauty and pleasant environment of our UT.

He further expressed that responsible citizens lead to responsible practices in each sector. He observed that the three pillars of sustainable development like economy, ecology and equity are equally significant and to be alive to preservation of fragile ecology is the shared responsibility of all the citizens here.

The Chief Secretary maintained that the three components like Solid Waste Management (SWM), Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) and Greywater Management (GWM) are based on practical principles. He said that the three phases of the accreditation involve orientation for stakeholders, Voluntary declaration followed by Verification and ground truthing all facilitative to change our tourist destinations for the better.

He advised all the stakeholders including the concerned authorities to make this model successful here as J&K being the torchbearer has an added responsibility to show the way to others. He also mentioned that it is a sure way of increasing the satisfaction level of tourists coming here and making them visit this place again and again. He wished success to those adopting it first voluntarily here in J&K.

On the occasion, it was revealed that the three themes of SGLR including SWM, FSM and GWM have practically been allocated a total of 200 marks with first two having 80 marks each and the last one having 40 marks allocated to it.

All the participating entities are required to score at least 50% marks in each theme to become eligible for participation in the certification process. Entities securing 100-130 marks are certified as having ‘1-Leaf Status’, 130-180 marks as 3-Leaf Status and those scoring between 180-200 as the best with ‘5-Leaf Status’, as was informed during this launch ceremony.

Later on the Chief Secretary with other participants including Secretary, Tourism (GoI); Director, DDWS, GoI; DDC, Chairperson, Anantnag; Commissioner Secretary, RDD; Secretary, Tourism; and District Development Commissioner released a document explaining the procedure and importance of this rating system and benefits for the sector adopting it for their assessment.