Frequent power cuts, taps running dry for several days, no proper breeze coming into the house inspite of having huge windows, dust etc are some of the problems every individual staying in a big city faces but opts not to crib about because it is common to all. But the concept called ‘Green Building’ seems to hold an answer for all these big city pangs.
Experts say that Green Building is the one, which incorporates green features. It is a practice of increasing the efficiency with which the building uses resources like energy, water and materials, while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment. The benefit of the green building is the reduction in operating energy and water costs. The savings could range from 25 to 40 per cent depending on the extent of green specifications.
Accordingly, a meet on Green Building was held in Mangalore on Tuesday and delivering a presentation on Natural Resource Sensitive (NRS) Housing, Bio Diversity Conservation India Limited Managing Director Harsha Shridhar said that NRS Housing is where the thrust is on natural resource sensitivity based on the mantras such as reduced, reuse and recycle.
The benefits of NRS homes for the owner is that he gets to save a considerable amount on water, waste, air conditioning and water heating etc, lower maintenance and net lower investment value.
At the same time the environmental benefits of the same are that there is low carbon emission, lower ground water pollution and healthier ground water table.
He pointed that NRS housing reduces usage of cement, sand and several other construction materials and produces considerably lesser construction debris too.
Earlier inaugurating the programme, Association of British Scholars Chairman Chris Gibson said that climate change is the cause of concern across the world and there is an immense need to mitigate the effects of the same. Green buildings can be a right step towards lessening the hazards of climate changes, Mr Gibson said.
Dr B M Hegde presided over the programme. Deputy Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao, Inspector General of Police (Western Range) A M Prasad, Karnataka Police Housing Corporation Executive Director Shree Kumar, Association of Consulting Civil Engineers Chairman Rajendra Kalbavi and others were present.
The programme was organised by The Association of British Scholars, Association of Consulting Civil Engineers and Architects Guild of Mangalore.