Eco-friendly Hospice

Ganga Prem Hospice has incorporated renewable energy systems and environmentally responsible waste management options to minimize the footprint of the facility on the surrounding environment. As a responsible and spiritually orientated organization, Ganga Prem Hospice wants to help preserve the cleanliness and sanctity of the nearby Ganga river and the Himalayan foothills in every possible way.

Waste Management 

The Hospice has found a staunch ally in the Rishikesh based charity organization Clean Himalaya. Clean Himalaya has already provided invaluable advice to Ganga Prem Hospice and has promised ongoing support and education in the field of waste management. At present Clean Himalaya helps the hospice to dispose of its waste on a weekly basis. GPH reduces, reuses and recycles wherever possible, and has implemented a firm policy whereby the Hospice will never litter or pollute the nearby Ganga river or the surrounding habitat.

GPH segregates its waste at the source. Organic waste is composted but the option of a biogas system whereby kitchen waste is converted to fuel for cooking is currently being researched. The Hospice is already working with a medical waste disposal company which  removes medical waste from the site. To avoid air pollution, no waste, organic or otherwise, is burnt on the site.

Sustainable Purchasing Policy

Ganga Prem Hospice backs its waste management policy with a sustainable purchasing policy and does its best to avoid the purchase of products made from non-recyclable materials. Use of plastic and disposable products is avoided as much as is possible, while efforts to reuse and recycle is given primary importance. Purchase of durable goods made by local industries and goods made from recycled materials is given precedence over cheaper and less long lasting products.

Wastewater Management

Ganga Prem Hospice uses a decentralised wastewater treatment system (DWWT) to treat wastewater and thereby protects the groundwater and the Ganga river. The Hospice works in partnership with the Centre for Science and Environment who have designed the system and who provide the technical support and carry out regular inspections. The DWWT is a natural/biological system which does not require any chemicals or electricity to treat the wastewater. The system treats black and grey wastewater for use in watering the garden.

Energy Efficiency Measures

The Ganga Prem Hospice in-patient facility has been creatively designed to reduce energy consumption and optimize the use of natural light and ventilation so that a centralized heating or cooling system will not be necessary.

A solar water heating system

At GPH we hope to install photovoltaic solar panels in order to provide a significant portion of the building’s energy needs. At present grid and generator backup are  used as the energy producing system. LED lighting is installed throughout the facility. A domestic solar water heating system provides for the totality of the Hospice’s hot water requirements. GPH is currently researching biofuel backup generator options.

Use of insulation in the walls and ceilings, high performance glazing for windows and strategic planting of deciduous trees around the building are among the methods used by the Hospice to control the heating and cooling effect of the changing seasons.

Environment-friendly Site Plan

In order to mitigate disruption to the local microclimate, no asphalt is used on the site. Instead, pathways are made of permeable pavers, to help water percolation and mitigate the heat island effect. Swales are dug to direct the storm water into the garden areas and away from the building and rain water is harvested.

Numerous tress and creepers have been planted on the Ganga Prem Hospice and there is an ayurvedic herbal garden and flower gardens. Flowering and healing trees are planted around the building to give the facility a natural and calming ambience.

We are still working on our environmental plans and friends of Ganga Prem Hospice are invited to write in with any suggestions that they might have as to how the Hospice can best live in harmony with its natural surroundings and contribute to the healing process of the global environment.