New Delhi, July 25

The Rashtrapati Bhavan, the residence of the country's first citizen, has become the country's first-ever urban habitat to receive the ISO 14001:2004 certification-granted today by UK's Bureau Veritas in view of the various standardised environment management practices adopted by the President's Estate.

The day coincides with the second anniversary of "Roshni"-a march towards resource conservation reflected clearly through an array of energy-efficient set-ups put in place for rainwater harvesting, waste management, recycling of water, etc.

The certification comes on the day which completes three years of President Pratibha Patil's tenure in the highest office.

"At a time when development is progressing at a pace never seen earlier, the model of the Rashtrapati Bhavan would act as a catalyst for affecting a change towards building sustainable habitats," said the President.

On the occasion, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit urged that the film capturing glimpses of the evolution of the Rashtrapati Bhavan into a zero-waste management model should be allowed to be telecast in various schools and offices.

"Lessons derived would not only bring about a conservation culture in the masses, be it water or power, but in the course would also prevent the world from being inundated in the environmental crisis," Dikshit underlined.

Calling for a change in the mindset of people, largely driven by a lifestyle that threatens co-existence of man and nature, union minister of urban development Jaipal Reddy said, "The President's Estate would serve as an oasis in the country's landscape and encourage people, especially the younger generation to adopt ways, which are environment-friendly and sustainable in the long run."

Located in the heart of city, the exotic estate spread over 340 acres houses residential buildings and offices, which are demarcated as plastic-free zone and are dependent on energy-efficient modes. They have solar-lit lights and CFLs.

Significantly, the resource-conservation concept and measures could not have been a success without the five self-help groups (SHGs), each comprising about eight women.

A year back, SHGs named after Rani Jhansi, Mother Teresa, Indira Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu and Kalpana Chawla were initiated and women from among the residents of the President's house were trained in making envelopes along with other paper products that are used in the Rashtrapati Bhavan itself.

Seventy-year-old Vimal Devi, who has been associated with the Roshni programme since its inception, says the work has enabled her to utilise her time purposefully.