Lok Sabha Question No. 101 (STARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Swachhata Green Leaf Rating Initiative
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Dushyant Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.*101 ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025

## SWACHHATA GREEN LEAF RATING INITIATIVE

- *101. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  Swachhata  Green  Leaf  Rating  (SGLR)  initiative along with the manner in which it aims to revolutionise hygiene and sanitation practices in India's growing tourism industry and contributes in promoting sustainable tourism in the country;
- (b) the  manner  in  which  it  encourages  hospitality  facilities  to  adopt higher sanitation standards;
- (c) the key components of the SGLR framework and the manner in which it aligns with the Swachh Bharat Mission and the Travel for LiFE (TFL) programme under Mission LiFE and impacts the competitiveness of India's tourism sector; and
- (d) the  role  of  the  hospitality  industry  in  enhancing  aesthetic  and sanitation levels at tourist spots to attract increased footfall?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO.*101 ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025 REGARDING SWACHHATA GREEN LEAF RATING INITIATIVE RAISED BY SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH.

(a) to (d): The Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation in collaboration with  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  rolled  out  a  'Swachhata  Green  Leaf  Rating System' (SGLR) for the hospitality facilities .

The Swachhata Green Leaf Rating System (SGLR) encourages hospitality establishments to adopt better  technologies for  sanitation  to  make  their facilities  Swachhata  Green  Leaf  Rating  System  (SGLR)  compliant  to achieve  Swachhata  Green  Rating  from  1  leaf  to  5  leaf.  This  aligns  with emphasis  on  providing  world  class  hygiene  and  sanitation  facilities  for tourists,  marking  a  crucial  step  towards  cleaner  and  more  sustainable tourism practices.

Tourism,  a  key  contributor  to  the  Indian  economy,  relies  not  only  on picturesque landscapes but also on impeccable sanitation standards. With an increasing number of tourists, managing waste and minimizing sanitation risks to public health pose significant challenges. The Swachhata  Green  Leaf  Rating  System  (SGLR)  emerges  as  a  pivotal instrument, motivating hospitality establishments to adopt practices synonymous  with  "Safely  Managed  Sanitation."  Swachhata  Green  Leaf Rating  System  (SGLR)  initiative  is  instrumental  in  paving  the  way  for  a cleaner  and  more  sustainable  future  for  Indian  tourism,  epitomizing  the spirit of responsible and eco-friendly hospitality along with branding of the voluntarily  participating  properties.  It  is  a  testament  to  Swachh  Bharat Mission's commitment  to  fostering  responsible  tourism  and  achieving sustainable sanitation practices.

Swachhata  Green  Leaf  Rating  System  (SGLR)  nudges  both  tourists  and businesses to adopt practices harmonious with nature, the SGLR programme  aims  to  develop  an  economically  viable,  responsible  and resilient  tourism  industry.  As  per  information  provided  by  Department  of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), more than 1650 hospitality facilities have been given SGLR rating.

The  programme  is  implemented  by  Department  of  Drinking  Water  and Sanitation  (DDWS)  along-with  State  Governments/UTs  through  state  level and district level committees to evaluate and certify hospitality establishments.  Components  in  the  certification,  inter-alia,  include  Grey Water  Management  (GWM),  Faecal  Sludge  Management  (FSM)  and  Solid Waste Management (SWM).

The Swachh Bharat Mission aspires to move towards Clean India through Jan Bhagidari (people's participation). Tourism hospitality sector is encouraged to voluntarily participate and contribute to cleaner and more sustainable  tourism  practices  in  India.  This  initiative  is  aligned  with  the Travel for LiFE commitment of the Ministry of Tourism under Mission LiFE.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  also  launched  a  National  responsible  tourism initiative  by  the  name  of  Paryatan  Mitra/Paryatan  Didi.  Through  this initiative,  Ministry  of  Tourism  aims  to  elevate  the  overall  experience  for tourists  in  destinations.  This  initiative  is  creating  awareness  on  the importance of tourism, general cleanliness, hygiene, safety, sustainability and also on the importance of providing tourists with the highest standards of hospitality and care.

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