Conservation

An alternative energy source that avoids use of fossil fuels is the way forward and probably the most important aspect within the ecotourism domain. Using renewable energy and avoiding fossil fuel helps our environment to regenerate it self. We save a lot of energy through the use of the right equipment and procedures.

Currently we have energy efficient bulbs, turn off lights and appliances when not in use and using insulation. The alternative energy used is solar power used for lighting, heating water and on the perimeter fence.

Water is the most important resource on the surface of earth. Only as much as 0.008% of water on the planet is available for human consumption and to make more of it, takes energy that pollutes the environment. Therefore water waste management is probably one of the most important and most relevant aspects of running a lodge within ecotourism domain.

Here are some of the things we do:

• Use low flow toilets and shower heads,
• wash sheets and towels less frequently and
• do gray water recycling.

There is so much good to do for the environment by recycling gray water. Gray water is waste water from the kitchen, bathroom showers and tubs etc.

Recycled water is used to water gardens and landscaping, as it filters through the soil on its way to ground and subterranean water sources it is cleaned. Using it on the gardens and landscaping reduces the amount of fresh water needed for that purpose.

Gray water recycling helps recharging the ground water reserves, reduces fresh water wastage, saves energy and in long run, drastically helps the environment and is surely a must within the ecotourism domain.

On celebrating our first anniversary in Ashnil Aruba Lodge, we embarked on a tree planting exercise which involved every guest who spent a night in the month of April to plant a tree. This event saw the planting of 1000 seedlings.

In November 2009, we have conducted another tree planting exercise in Samburu to commemorate one year since we started operations in Northern Kenya.

The afforestration programme is an initiative of the unit’s environment committees comprising members of staff. It is geared towards replacing any form of vegetation of indigenous nature that may have been destroyed at the beginning of the construction process.

• Community outreach programmes – Ashnil Hotels is committed in the preservation, protection, conservation, interpretation and enrichment of the cultural and natural resources through awareness creation and information sharing. At present, some of those initiatives include - tree planting programmes.
• Community involvement – Ashnil Hotels are committed to the development of wildlife conservation areas in collaboration with the rural communities living adjacent to the national parks. Ashnil Aruba currently is a member of TESHA (Tsavo East Stakeholders Association) and is playing a key role in assisting the community in utilizing the land and wildlife and in place they receive economic benefits such as income generation from the sale of the local artifacts in the hotel and also employment opportunities.

See also:

Corporate Social Responsibility