GOVARDHAN ECOVILLAGE RECEIVED THE PRESTIGIOUS UNITED NATIONS AWARD (UNWTO) FOR EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION IN TOURISM IN NGO SECTOR

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2 GOVARDHAN ECOVILLAGE RECEIVED THE PRESTIGIOUS UNITED NATIONS AWARD (UNWTO) FOR EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION IN TOURISM IN NGO SECTOR 59

3 Govardhan Eco Village (GEV) Wins Top United Nations Award for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism, First Ever Award for India in NGO Sector Govardhan Eco Village received the top United Nations Award for having innovative initiatives of Sustainable Tourism, the first time India has ever won this recognition in the Non-Governmental Organizations Sector. Previous winners in the category include initiatives from Nepal, Amsterdam, Malaysia, Austria, Brazil, Australia, Spain, Chile and Portugal. Govardhan Eco Village walked away with the top honours at the annual United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism presented on January 18, 2017 in Madrid, the capital of Spain. Govardhan Eco Village received the award for its path-breaking initiative of 'Eco Tourism as a catalyst for Rural Development' in Wada, Maharashtra. The project has successfully linked the Tourism initiatives at GEV with providing a sustainable life to the local tribal communities in the villages, thereby creating a model for empowerment and development of the local tribal people in the area. The UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in tourism is the flagship event for the global tourism sector. Since 2003, this event seeks to highlight the work of organizations and individuals around the world that have positively impacted and inspired the tourism sector through innovation and knowledge. The contributions of the awardees are in lined with the policies, priorities and Programme of Work of UNWTO, including the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and the principles and standards set in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The UNWTO has 157 countries as its member-states besides 6 associate members and over 500 affiliate members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities. 60

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5 INTERNATIONAL GREEN WORLD AWARD FOR GEV SYMBIOTIC DEVELOPMENT MODEL Govardhan Eco Village won the Green World Environment Award 2016 in the international campaign to find the world's greenest countries, companies and communities. They competed against more than 500 other nominations in the Green World Awards for Environmental Best Practice, and were presented with their trophy and certificate at a glittering presentation in Bucheon, South Korea on October 28, This recognition comes as a result of the environmental success of their GEV Symbiotic Development Model The awards are organised by The Green Organization, an international, independent, non-political, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognizing, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world. They are supported by the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Chartered Institution for Wastes Management and other independent bodies. 64

6 GOVARDHAN ECOVILLAGE RECEIVED THE SMART VILLAGE AWARD FOR BEING A SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT

7 SMART VILLAGE AWARD TO GEV FOR BEING A SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT IN MAHARASHTRA Govardhan Eco Village won Smart Cities India Award in the Smart Village Award category for being a sustainable project in Wada district of Maharashtra. The Smart Cities India Award ceremony took place in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India on May 12, The smart village award category recognizes village project that integrates upgradation and upliftment of various (socio-economic, infrastructure, etc.) facilities for making life smooth and accessible for the villagers. Over a hundred entries were received at the second edition of the awards with 15 winners under 12 categories. To evaluate the nominations, a blind jury system was used, which comprised of experts in various fields but none of whom knew each other, thus making the entire process very unbiased and transparent The Smart Cities India awards is an annual event designed to felicitate, recognize and encourage individuals, policy makers, companies, government bodies and associations working behind the successful execution of the mammoth dream of developing 100 smart cities and rejuvenation of 500 cities in India. The Smart Cities Award Ceremony was part of the Mega Event organized by the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) and the Exhibitions India Group. 64

8 GOVARDHAN ECOVILLAGE RECEIVED THE NATIONAL AGRO-TOURISM AWARD

9 NATIONAL AGRO-TOURISM AWARD TO GEV FOR ITS INITIATIVE OF ECO- TOURISM AS A CATALYST FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT Govardhan Eco Village won the National Agri-Tourism Award for its initiative of Eco- Tourism as a catalyst for Rural Development. The Award was given during the National Agri Tourism Conference organized at Y.B. Chavan Auditorium, Mumbai on 16th May. Prior to the award ceremony, GEV also made a presentation about its role in developing Agri-Tourism. The conference was organized by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) on the occasion of 10th World Agri Tourism Day, with the main aim to promote Agri Tourism in Maharashtra. Ways to increase employment and investment opportunities in Agro Tourism sector were discussed at the conference. Jaykumar Rawal, Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra and Pandurang Fundkar, Minister of Agriculture & Horticulture, Government of Maharashtra inaugurated the conference in the presence of Madan Yerawar, Minister of State for Tourism, Government of Maharashtra. On behalf of GEV, Mr. Neeraj Kapoor went and received the award at the hands of Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Tourism

10 GOVARDHAN ECOVILLAGE RECEIVED THE WATER DIGEST AWARD IN THE BEST WATER NGO WATER EDUCATION 61

11 Govardhan Ecovillage (GEV) wins Water Digest Water Award Govardhan Eco Village received the Water Digest Water Awards in the Best Water NGO - Water Education category. To commemorate World Water Day 2017, Water Digest in association with UNESCO, the Ministry of Water Resources & ASSOCHAM announced 11th Water Digest Water Awards to leading Organisations, Industry members & NGOs on the 22 nd March The ceremony took place in Hotel Jaypee Vasant Continental, Basant Lok, Vasant Vihar in New Delhi Water Digest Water Awards (WDWA) is India s premiere & one of the most illustrious platforms to honor and appreciate outstanding and exceptional environmental initiatives and achievements. WDWA were conceived with a vision to awaken the Eco-consciousness in Indian industries and society as a whole. In the past, the award has been conferred upon organizations like ITC Limited, NHPC, Grundfos, Pepsico, Hindustan Unilever, Philips, ITT, Ion Exchange, Pentair, Essar Steel etc. The award is judged by an eminent jury panel with members from IIT, TERI, & UNESCO. 62

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13 THE INTERNATIONAL BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE 2016 AWARD FOR GREEN BUILDINGS Govardhan Eco Village (GEV) received the 2016 Green Apple Awards for Built Environment & Architectural Heritage Award for it s Green Building initiatives from the Green Organization, UK, at a special ceremony on Monday August 8, 2016 at The Crystal, London Docklands regarded as the most sustainable events venue in the UK. During that same ceremony GEV was also honored as the International Green World Ambassadors. This recognition comes as a result of the environmental success of their GEV SYMBIOTIC DEVELOPMENT MODEL Project. The award judges commented: As a model to demonstrate sustainable living, this village is a prime example. Rural farming communities such as this are ideally placed to find alternative avenues for what would usually be waste and they have combined traditional use of animal power with 21st century solar power to create a community which lives in harmony with its environment. 66

14 GREEN APPLE ENVIRONMENT AWARD IN GOLD CATEGORY AS GREENEST COMMUNITY PROJECT 67

15 INTERNATIONAL GREEN APPLE AWARD FOR SYMBIOTIC DEVELOPMENT MODEL Govardhan Eco Village (GEV), won the Green Apple Environment Award in Gold category in the international campaign to find the greenest companies, councils and communities. This recognition comes as a result of the environmental success of their GEV Symbiotic Development Model. GEV was presented with their trophy and certificate at a glittering presentation ceremony in the Houses of Parliament, London on Monday, November The Green Apple Awards began in 1994 and have become established as UK s major recognition for environmental endeavor among companies, councils, communities and countries. The Green Apple Awards are supported by the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Chartered Institution for Wastes Management and other independent bodies. The Green Apple Awards campaign was one of the first to be accepted by Britain s RSA Environmental Awards Forum as meeting the high standards and criteria to be approved as an automatic conduit into the Brussels-led European Business Awards for the Environment

16 SKOCH RENAISSANCE AWARD FOR WATER CONSERVATION 69

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19 SKOCH PLATINUM AND RENAISSANCE AWARD FOR WATER CONSERVATION Mr. Gauranga Das, Director, Govardhan Eco Village was honored with the SKOCH Platinum and Renaissance Award 2013 for the Water Conservation project from the Finance Minister of India Mr. P Chidambaram, Mr. Montek Singh Alhuwalia Chairman Planning Commission of India, Mr. U K Sinha Chairman Securities Exchange Board of India and Mr. Sameer Kochhar Chairman Skoch Foundation. SKOCH Awards enjoy the distinction of having instituted some of the oldest, most prestigious independent civilian honors in India. SKOCH Awards have no sponsor driven agenda, are unaided and are based on a fair process that salute the extra ordinary that go extra mile to make India a better nation. These are conferred on the well known and common citizen alike. Other industry leaders who received the awards include:- Dr. Rajiv B Lall Chairman Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IDFC), Ms. Naina Lal Kidwai Managing Director Asia Pacific HSBC Bank, Mr. Ashish Kumar Chauhan CEO Bombay Stock Exchange, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co Ltd, AISECT Education 72

20 5 STAR PLATINUM GRHA RATINGS FOR GREEN BUILDINGS GIVEN BY MINISTRY FOR NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY AND TERI 73

21 5 STAR RATINGS BY MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY AND TERI FOR GREEN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION GEV (Govardhan Eco Village) received a 5 star ratings for its Green Buildings along with three other projects at the 5th GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) summit, a three-day flagship event of ADaRSH conducted in association with TERI and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. GRIHA, National Green building Rating System of India, is a rating tool that helps people assess the performance of their building against certain nationally acceptable benchmarks. The GRIHA structure on the entire process of construction results in habitat that are rooted in surroundings, ecologically susceptible and in sync with socio-political background.. GEV has been awarded 100 points (96 awarded+ 4 innovations) by the evaluation committee of ADaRSH (Association of Development and Research of Sustainable Habitats) on providing necessary documentation and demonstrating compliance with mandatory criterion under GRIHA; first building to score 100 points in the GRIHA rating in last 5 years.

23 AQUA EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS CAUSE OF SUSTAINABILITY The Aqua Excellence Award, the highest award is given by Aqua Foundation to its members, stakeholders and contributors in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the field of water, environment, energy, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, planetary sciences, pollution control and sustainability solutions. The IX World Aqua Congress was organized centered on the theme of reviving traditional water resources and environment conservation techniques. The conference took place on November 26, 2015 and November 27, 2015 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. During the Congress, Govardhan Eco Village received the prestigious Aqua Excellence Award in the category for its Outstanding Contribution towards cause ofsustainability Social Sector. The award was given by the Hon ble Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ms. Uma Bharti to Shri Gauranga Das, President of GEV. The conference was attended by various corporate heads, Government authorities, university professors, NGOs etc.

25 AQUA EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR PROTECTION OF QUALITY AND SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER RESOURCES Every year the Aqua Foundation Group organizes the World Aqua Congress (WAC) on a theme related to environment and invites excerpts of papers from speakers from all over India. During the X World Aqua Congress in the year 2016, ISKCON GEV was awarded with the prestigious Aqua Excellence Award in the category of Protection of the Quality and Supply of Freshwater Resources. Nimailila Das, Chief Sustainability Officer, GEV received this award from Mrs. Sunita Narain, Director General of Center for Science and Environment (CSE) and Editor, Down to Earth Magazine. The X World Aqua Congress was centered on the theme of Water: Smart Solutions for Growing India on the 24th November 2016 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The Aqua Excellence Awards are the highest awards given by Aqua Foundation to its members, stakeholders and contributors in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the field of water, environment, energy, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, planetary sciences, pollution control and sustainability solutions.

27 IAA OLIVE CROWN AWARDS FOR CREATIVE EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNICATING SUSTAINABILITY Apar Industries Ltd. & Govardhan Eco Village received the Corporate Social Crusader of the Year 2015 award for the Corporate Social Investment initiative within the GEV community and the reach and impact it has created. The award was given by the International Advertising Association -India Chapter which has instituted the Olive Crown Awards to encourage and espouse the cause of companies with a sense of communicating sustainability. The award ceremony was held in Mumbai on 27 th March, 2015.

29 GEV IN LIMCA BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS FOR INNOVATIVE AGRICULTURE PRACTICES Govardhan Ecovillage has been listed in the prestigious Limca Book of Records for its agricultural innovation in restoring wasteland into a cultivable vegetable garden. Started in 2014, this project to revive a 4-acre piece of waste land had an extra challenge it was on a slope. So measures had to be taken to avoid any form of soil erosion By systematically using biomass and vermicompost the soil was restored and by a series of plantations of grasses like lemon-grass and kusa the soil erosion is being prevented. Today varieties of vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, bottle gourd and spinach are being grown there

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31 ASIA LEADERSHIP CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AWARD Govardhan Eco Village(GEV) has bagged the Asian Leadership Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) award for Best Overall Sustainable Performance Asian Leadership CSR Awards are given for Corporate Social Responsibility in different categories such as Rural Development, Healthcare Excellence, Education, Women Empowerment, Community Development, Sustainable Business Practices etc. Asian sustainability leadership awardthe Asian Sustainability Leadership Awards is the leading industry event recognizing and rewarding outstanding achievement in Sustainability in the built environment and are a key benchmark for achieving best practice in the sector.

33 GOLDEN GLOBE TIGERS AWARD FOR INTEGRATED WATER CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION SCHEME Govardhan Eco Village (GEV) was awarded the Best Green Water Stewardship Award. The award was conferred upon GEV in recognition of the novel integrated water conservation and protection scheme in GEV and that enables to conserve lakhs of liters of water. These awards have been instituted by the World Corporate Social Responsibility Congress (World CSR Congress). The award ceremony was held in Kuala Lumpur on 25thMarch, World CSR Congress also acknowledged the contribution of HH Radhanath Swami by rating him as one of World s 50 most talented Sustainability leaders. Similarly HG GaurangaDasa was nominated as World s 50 most talented Green leaders

34 INVITED TO PRESENT THE GEV MODEL AT NATIONAL THINKERS & WRITERS FORUM 2013, MUMBAI

35 MR. GAURANGA DAS, DIRECTOR, GEV, INVITED AS KEY NOTE SPEAKER IN CII S WASTE MANAGEMENT SEMINAR, DELHI

36 MR. GAURANGA DAS, DIRECTOR GEV PRESENTING C2C MODEL FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT IN FICCI S LIFECYCLE ASSESSMENT CONFERENCE, BANGALORE

37 GEV INVITED TO SHARE ITS BEST PRACTICES IN INDIAN GREEN BUILDINGS CONGRESS, HYDERABAD, ASIA S LARGEST GREEN BUILDING CONFERENCE

38 INTEGRATED WATER CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION SCHEME FOR RURAL LOCATIONS A CASE STUDY AT GOVARDHAN ECOVILLAGE PRESENTED IN CII S WATER CONCLAVE, MUMBAI

39 MR. GAURANGA DAS, DIRECTOR, GEV PRESENTING LOW EMBODIED ENERGY HOUSING ALTERNATIVES IN FICCI S LIFECYCLE ASSESSMENT CONFERENCE, DELHI

40 GEV INVITED TO SHARE ITS WATER TREATMENT TECHNIQUES IN NATIONAL WATER CONFERENCE, AHMEDABAD

41 INTERNATIONAL ADVERTIZERS ASSOCIATION OLIVE CROWN AWARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

42 Listed Among Top Agricultural Innovators in India based on a Survey conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture

43 VRUKSHAVALLI HORTICULTURE AWARDS FOR 30 BEST NURSERY PLANTS

45 HH Radhanath Swami rated as one of World s 50 most talented Sustainability leaders. HG Gauranga Dasa nominated as World s 50 most talented Green leaders

46 THANK YOU 46

Inauguration of Police Station at GVK CSIA Hon ble CM of Maharashtra Shri Prithviraj Chavan and Dr. GVK Reddy do the honours

Vol I Issue VII October 2013 o n ct a corporate e-zine Inauguration of Police Station at GVK CSIA Hon ble CM of Maharashtra Shri Prithviraj Chavan and Dr. GVK Reddy do the honours Hon'ble CM of Maharashtra