Monday 25 August 2014

Inculcating the trend of ‘Green Holidays’

It is that time of the year again. Summer for some brings back the reminiscence of being in school and getting ready for the summer break and for some it is that time of the year when they need to take a break and unwind. As an employer, it is with the latter bunch that you have to engage with but for reasons bereft, you sometimes have to deal with the inner child as well. I say this because, here arises the need to educate and inculcate a habit, culture and trend amongst your workforce to not only make sure that they do take a break to unwind and enjoy summer but, to make sure that during this period they do something for the environment as well.
Most of my readers would agree that Indians, as a rule go for vacationing to one of two places, its either the exotic south of the country or the mystic northern hills and valleys. Both these places, especially the hill stations are big on environment and greenery and the ideology of preserving it. The idea is to make sure that when your employees go vacationing, you as an employer should stress on the need to carry forward your company or organization’s green culture to these places. Your employees are your ambassadors and they carry forward the legacy of your organization.
Some of the planning for a green vacation begins well before, like choosing the right accommodation – not going for a fancy vacation hotel which has a high carbon footprint but instead boarding a simple local tourist hut or even, if the area allows it, your own tent! Taking whatever perishable food items in a biodegradable packaging to be bought back instead of just throwing it away for Mother Nature to deal with.
The idea of vacationing is to get away from the crowded city clutter and get as close to the environment as possible – and you can’t do that unless you sacrifice some of the urban comforts that you’re attached with. Once you have this part figured, the rest is going to fall in place.
“Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.” - Pedro Calderon de la Barca