Rashtrapati Bhavan to Observe Earth Hour Tomorrow

Rashtrapati Bhavan shall observe Earth Hour tomorrow, from 8.30 PM to 9.30 PM. During this one hour period, all non-essential lights in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President's Estate and also the Family Wing of the President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, shall be switched off. The Residents Welfare Association of the President's Estate has been involved in preparations for observation of Earth Hour.

During the financial year 2010-11, efforts were made under the Roshini Programme to reduce consumption of electricity in the main building of Rashtrapati Bhavan as well in the President's Estate. During this period, 3.44 million units of energy were conserved.

The Roshini Programme also includes other environmental initiatives which have given the following benefits to the environment and the residents of the Estate during the financial year 2010-11:

a) 3916 kg of organic compost was produced.

b) As a result of water harvesting, there has been an overall rise of 2.33 meters in the water table.

c) 9027 kg. of vermi-compost was produced.

d) 1 lakh units of renewable energy were produced.

e) Rs.18500 of petrol was conserved due to use of battery operated solar charged vehicles.

f) 3279 tonnes of carbon footprint was reduced.

g) 350 trees were planted.

This release issued at 1745 hrs.