Hotel chairman receives environmental award

The chairman of an Indian hotel chain has honoured by receiving the Bharat Ratna Rajiv Ghandi environment award.

Chairman of the Leela Palaces hotels and resorts captain Krishnan Nair recently picked up the achievement at the Environment Cell of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee.

Captain Nair received the award, named after the former Indian president who was assassinated in 1991, because of the green environment he has built around each of his hotels.

"The gardens belong to the citizens of Mumbai now. I only planted them; they are the owners and the ones who should enjoy them," he said.

As well as cultivating rare plant species in the hotels' grounds to boost the growth of exotic plants, captain Nair worked with the International Airports Authority of India and the Mumbai Municipal Corporation to improve public areas including Sahar and Santa Cruz.

After giving captain Nair the award, chief minister of Maharashtra Ashokrao Chavan said that all companies and industries have a responsibility to do their bit for the environment and clean up local towns to encourage the development of green areas.

Posted by Claire Manning