Authored article by Anoop Pandey, General Manager, JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa

With a commitment to create value engagement for all our guests through all the thoughtfully curated experiences promoting the JW Marriott brand programs, the JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa continues its quest in promoting and amplifying the correct brand positioning for our multi-generational guests and travelers. With a keen focus on sustainability and commitment towards our community, we have always been able to innovate beyond imagination. Few of the steps mentioned below that we as an organization practice

• ·Successfully launched the Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy program with our Implant Nature experience the Environment Protection pillar. Implant Nature is a part of our environmental experience for the guest. The uniqueness of this program its multi-generational approach and upholding of the true Family by JW principles of having the family experience this as one while discovering The Whole You. This entire experience is exclusively curated by the JW Marriott Mussoorie exclusively for our guests to consciously deliver the importance of eco balance to our guests.
• It is in direct conjunction with the environmental measures and giving back to the local Himalayan community while we promote the concept of creating the JW Garden brand activation through Family by JW. We look at conserving nature and this green belt for the generations to come and experience the greenery of the Himalayan belt. By doing so, we support and balance the biological eco system, preserve the soil & vegetation and instill the sense of accountability and ownership in the guest by letting them own the sapling they plant and celebrate yearly anniversaries reminding them of their contribution is conserving environment.
• We also take pride in growing unique herbs and botanicals in our own green house to support this menu as well as in our highest vegan friendly Mediterranean dining venue, The Wisteria Deck.
• Uttarakhand is rich in oil seeds and millets. We have developed and supported various vendors to grow and supply us all our requirement of oilseeds, hemp seeds, millets and millet flours and turmeric. Low transportation usage helps reduce carbon footprint. We have also helped another local vendor to grow microgreens and supply to the hotel. Our aim is to reduce travel of ingredients, seek seasonal produce, packaged in eco-friendly ways and support the local businesses in and around Dehradun. Most of our menus are designed with this thought process in mind
• We support small scale farming businesses that grow seasonal crops protecting the biodiversity. Our focus remains on procuring ingredients that are best suited to growing locally by the season so that farming stays beneficial to the plants, animals and environment. The packaging provided by our vendors also aids a healthy environment. We promote sustainable farming within 200 kms of the resort by supporting, empowering and facilitating the local community in promoting self-employment for farmers in local villages!!
• We also have solar water heating plant in place to utilize renewable source of energy
• We have energy efficient LED Lamps installed in the property to save energy. Across the hotel we have LED lamps installed with dimming system. This dimming system comes with automatic scenes changing according to the time and which saves the manpower for switching on / off manually.
• For water management we have aerators in all the bath fitting with reduces the water consumption by 20 % and maintains equal pressure. For Energy management we have occupancy sensors which is integrated with air-conditioning thermostats which controls full room lighting when not use.
• We have rainwater harvesting pit which is use for horticulture and landscape and we have zero discharge STP and full treated water being used for landscape and horticulture only.
• We have replaced the run of the mill garbage disposing bags and got a complete range of biodegradable garbage disposing bags that has uplifted the entire wastage disposable systems
• We have also successfully launched the digital Mobile Key program. Rather than requiring travelers to carry plastic key cards , our patrons can also opt for a ‘data key’, because of its virtue of being digital it is the greenest key available.
• We have also introduced residential amenities in place of single use bathroom amenities, we would also like to highlight that the regular amenities offered to our guest in the room are also products that are organic and eco friendly.

One of the project that we have in the pipeline is launching Water Bottle Plant which will help in our journey towards a sustainable world. As a brand we ensure to practice utmost sustainability in everyday operations and responsible consumption of energy, water and goods. Our vision has always been to implement eco-friendly practices , enhance resource efficiency and mitigate disruption to the environment. We firmly believe for a better tomorrow we need to work today

—-