Although the concept of environment-friendly apartments or villas evolved around 1970s globally, in India it gained momentum only in the last couple of years  Imagine living larger than life. A sprawling bungalow overlooking breathtaking beauties, but charges minimal or zero maintenance cost. Mumbai-based Nanak Properties has successfully converted your imagination into reality. Spread over 55 acres and situated 3,000 metres above the sea-level at Lonavala, Amarja Estate is a perfect example of an eco-friendly luxury villa or green luxury villa as they are popularly known.
With more than 100 exquisite bungalows, overlooking the historic Lohgad Fort, Karla Caves, the Sahyadris and the Pawna Dam, the project is a nature’s retreat. Windmills, together with solar panels charged in the sun, generate enough power for residents to enjoy the ‘free-electricity’ offer consistently. In addition, the sewage plant efficiently takes care of the waste management. Even the roads are made of paver blocks, with longevity of 20 years.
Concept and its evolution
In a rising revolt against global warming and over-urbanisation, developers like Nanak Properties felt the need to go green. However, the concept of environment-friendly apartments or villas is not new. Globally, the movement started around 1970s, but in India it gained momentum only in the last couple of years.
Using materials that can be recycled, an ideal eco-friendly building is constructed with a unique design. Importantly, it requires minimal maintenance. Such buildings are energy-efficient and happily deplete the buyer’s expenses.
Know the green claim
Of late, many developers are palpably using the green bait to lure customers. This calls for careful scrutiny of the following aspects, before investing or finalising the deal:
Energy-efficiency: An eco-friendly building reduces consumption of electricity by using solar lights and other alternative sources. While buying an eco-friendly apartment, buyers should ensure that the developer has used the latest technology and installed appliances having energy star ratings, among others. Such measures can definitely help to bring down your utility bill.
Accessibility: Materials used for developing eco-friendly homes vary from one region to another, based on location, climate etc. Buyers should ensure that the materials used are accessible to the area and if found so then you can be certain that the negative effects of transportation to nature has been minimised.
Natural cooling and heating: Ensure that your eco-friendly apartment takes advantage of breezes for cooling in summer and heating in winter. Properly positioned windows will help to keep the room temperature low throughout the day.
Waste management & water conservation: Ensure green principles such as water harvesting and waste management are adopted, while constructing the apartments. Green buildings generate less waste and the waste water is recycled for watering gardens. The sewage and mini-sewage plants in the complex efficiently manage the waste.
Road ahead
Builders and architects in many countries are now adopting green building standards and India too has joined the bandwagon. The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has introduced a green building rating system. Besides, it is striving hard to enhance the awareness for eco-friendly buildings across India. Note the prominent rise in green realty space in the country during slowdown: from around 3.8 million square feet (mn sq ft) in early 2007, green buildings have steadily expanded to nearly 6.8 mn sq ft by September 2009.
With such massive rise in green realty space, the IGBC sees a great future in going green. Demand for such homes has witnessed a constant rise in cities such as Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and New Delhi.
Manoj Sainani, director of Nanak Properties, a reputed luxury homes developer in Mumbai |
