Responsible Tourism
At last, only 3 years late, our water meters have arrived and been installed! This is a key component of our management system for a responsible tourism audit. We will now be able to define water consumption at the lodge and the laundry. Similarly, an electricity meter records power from our generators. We are able to measure our energy consumption accurately.The litter management project in the village (initiated by the Sustainable Action Group at the lodge) has failed. We believe the failure is largely one of management approach – by targeting the older members of the village. We will try working through the schools and encourage the younger generation to lead in keeping the village litter free. The attached picture shows our “rocket” (not science) down pipes used in the monsoon to collect rainwater from the roof of the main lodge –somewhat “Heath Robinson” but they work and remove the need to pump water from the valley floor at this time.

This saves electricity and generator usage. In a welcome move, Pokhara city has announced a ban on plastic bags from mid-July. Pokhara Lodge has reduced its use of plastic bags by about 75% last year as a Sustainable Action Group initiative. This announcement by the municipality will help us make further reductions. Plastic is one of the most difficult waste materials to dispose responsibly. All our residual waste plastic is sold to local recycling agents, kawadis, who sell on to industries making piping from the recycled plastic. The money from the kawadis goes to the staff as an incentive. Very soon, we will start the use of more natural cleaning agents around the lodge – replacing the few harsher chemicals we use with more environmentally friendly ones. Local chemical suppliers have been found and this initiative will further reduce our environmental impact.

Refurbishment Update

The lodge rooms have now been redecorated in a brighter colour scheme. Some rooms have additional mosquito nets on the four-poster beds. The remaining rooms will have nets made in time for the spring. New bed covers, upholstery and curtains completes the ensemble for 2010. In the main Lodge, new table lamps have been put in the bar and library to make reading easier – some much needed light.