Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, has introduced the Swachhata Green Leaf Rating (SGLR) system. This initiative encourages hospitality facilities to adopt better sanitation technologies and practices, aligning with the Swachh Bharat Mission and the Travel for LiFE (TFL) programme. As of July 28, 2025, over 1650 hospitality facilities have received SGLR ratings, contributing to cleaner, more sustainable tourism.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **SGLR System Overview:**
* The SGLR system aims to revolutionize hygiene and sanitation practices in India's tourism industry.
* It encourages hospitality establishments to become SGLR compliant, achieving ratings from 1 to 5 leaves.
* The SGLR system aligns with the Swachh Bharat Mission and the Travel for LiFE (TFL) programme.
* It promotes responsible and eco-friendly hospitality while branding participating properties.
* **Implementation and Components:**
* The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), along with State Governments/UTs, implements the program through state and district-level committees.
* Certification includes components like Grey Water Management (GWM), Faecal Sludge Management (FSM), and Solid Waste Management (SWM).
* **Tourism Initiatives:**
* The tourism hospitality sector is encouraged to voluntarily participate in the SGLR to promote cleaner and more sustainable tourism.
* The Ministry of Tourism launched the Paryatan Mitra/Paryatan Didi initiative to enhance tourist experiences by focusing on cleanliness, hygiene, safety, and sustainability.
Impact Analysis:
* Hospitality Industry:
* Impact: Encouraged to adopt higher sanitation standards and better technologies to achieve SGLR compliance.
* Action Required: Voluntarily participate in the SGLR system, implement better sanitation practices, and aim for higher SGLR ratings.
* Tourists:
* Impact: Benefit from improved hygiene and sanitation facilities at tourist destinations.
* Action Required: Adopt practices that are harmonious with nature, contributing to responsible tourism.
* Government (Ministry of Tourism and Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation):
* Impact: Responsible for the rollout and implementation of the SGLR system.
* Action Required: Continue to implement and oversee the SGLR program through state and district-level committees.
* State Governments/UTs:
* Impact: Responsible for working with DDWS in implementing the SGLR program
* Action Required: Work with DDWS to evaluate and certify hospitality establishments.
Key Entities Referenced
Swachhata Green Leaf Rating SGLR: An initiative by the Department of Drinking Water Sanitation in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism to encourage better sanitation practices in hospitality facilities.
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and policies relating to the development and promotion of tourism in India.
SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH: Member of Lok Sabha who raised the question regarding the Swachhata Green Leaf Rating initiative.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Tourism who answered the question in the Lok Sabha.
Swachh Bharat Mission: A national campaign by the Government of India, covering 4,041 statutory cities and towns, to clean the streets, roads and infrastructure of the country.
Travel for LiFE TFL: A program under Mission LiFE, aligned with the Swachhata Green Leaf Rating initiative, promoting sustainable tourism.
Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation DDWS: The department responsible for rolling out and implementing the Swachhata Green Leaf Rating System along with State Governments/UTs.
Paryatan MitraParyatan Didi: A National responsible tourism initiative launched by the Ministry of Tourism to elevate the overall experience for tourists in destinations.
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.
*******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.
*******