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.
Prominent among them is the 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 in its Hyderabad campus that are being built as per 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 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 today.
However, Kumar added, that the awareness level with regard to the green building revolution was catching pace in the country. "For instance, in Chennai, the government has made it mandatory for every building to indulge in rainwater-harvesting. The central government also has 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.
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 rain-water harvesting, waste paper recycling, power saving techniques and the likes."
