A Proud Milestone for ILLIKKALAM Lakeside Cottages, Kumarakom – Awarded the Prestigious 5-Leaf Swachhata Green Leaf Certification

ILLIKKALAM Lakeside Cottages has always believed that true hospitality goes beyond comfort and extends into responsibility. Today, that belief has earned a remarkable honor: the 5-Leaf Rating under the Swachhata Green Leaf Certification, awarded by the Kottayam District Collector.

This recognition stands as a testament to the resort’s unwavering dedication to cleanliness, sustainability, and respect for the natural heritage of Kumarakom. It is not just an award, it is a reaffirmation of values that have guided the property since its inception.

In the final assessment, ILLIKKALAM Lakeside Cottages achieved an exceptional milestone by scoring a perfect 200 out of 200 points, the highest score possible under the Swachhata Green Leaf Rating system. This flawless evaluation reflects not just compliance, but excellence across every category: wastewater treatment, solid waste management, greywater handling, hygiene, and environmental responsibility. Scoring full marks places ILLIKKALAM among the very few hospitality establishments in India to reach a 100% rating, making the 5-Leaf certification not just earned, but truly deserved.

Swaxhhatha-Green-Leaf-Certificate-ILLIKKALAM

What the 5-Leaf Rating Signifies

The Swachhata Green Leaf Certification is more than a mark of approval. It represents a comprehensive evaluation of eco-friendly practices, hygiene standards, waste management systems, and commitment to environmental preservation. A 5-Leaf Rating is the highest distinction, granted only to those who meet rigorous criteria with integrity and consistency.

It acknowledges that ILLIKKALAM is not simply a place to stay, it is a place that cares.

What Is the Swachhata Green Leaf Rating?

The Swachhata Green Leaf Rating (SGLR) is a national-level sanitation and cleanliness evaluation system created under the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (Ministry of Jal Shakti), in association with the Ministry of Tourism. It was developed as part of India’s ongoing commitment to the Swachh Bharat Mission, with the goal of recognizing hospitality establishments that follow scientifically responsible waste, water, and sanitation management practices.

Unlike basic cleanliness certifications, the SGLR rating is evidence-based and audit-verified. Each property is scored out of 200 points across three core sectors:

To be eligible for certification, a facility must:

• Score at least 50% in every category, and
• Cross the total score required for its rating tier.

The highest grade—5 Leaves is awarded only to facilities that score 180+ out of 200, demonstrating best-in-class performance in hygiene, environmental care, and safe sanitation systems.

This makes the 5-Leaf badge a nationally endorsed symbol of sustainable hospitality, not just surface-level cleanliness.

Why the 5-Leaf Rating Matters

• It is not a state tourism award — it is a Government of India standard.
• It confirms that a resort treats and disposes wastewater safely, without polluting soil or backwaters.
• It verifies on-site solid waste segregation, reduced plastic use, and scientifically handled organic waste.
• It ensures greywater is reused or recharged ethically instead of released untreated.
• It is independently assessed through the Suchitwa Mission, Kerala’s state sanitation nodal agency.
• It aligns Indian tourism with global eco-rating benchmarks.

In short, a 5-Leaf SGLR property is not just clean to the eye, it is clean behind the scenes, underground, and downstream.

FACT-BOX (Optional visual insert for your blog)

Swachhata Green Leaf Rating – At a Glance

• National sanitation & sustainability rating for hospitality sector
• Developed by Ministry of Jal Shakti & Ministry of Tourism
• 200-point scientific scoring system
• 3 focus areas: wastewater, solid waste, greywater
• Minimum 50% required in every category
• 5 Leaves = 180+ score = highest grade in India
• Audited & certified by district authorities under the Suchitwa Mission

What This Means for ILLIKKALAM

• ✔ Treats all wastewater through approved systems
• ✔ Segregates and manages waste without dumping or burning
• ✔ Reduces plastic dependency and single-use products
• ✔ Reuses/recharges greywater instead of releasing it into the lake
• ✔ Maintains verifiable hygiene with staff participation
• ✔ Meets both tourism-level and environmental standards

This is not just a recognition — it is a responsibility fulfilled.

Sustainability Rooted in Tradition

Kumarakom is a land where tradition and nature live in harmony, and ILLIKKALAM has embraced this way of life. The resort follows practices that honor the environment, including:

• Use of natural building materials and eco-friendly architecture
• Thoughtful waste reduction strategies, especially minimizing plastic use
• Water conservation and rainwater harvesting methods
• Organic and locally sourced food offerings
• Maintaining lush greenery and native flora around the property

These are not new trends here—but long-standing habits, reflecting a belief that tourism should preserve the land, not disturb it.

A Collective Achievement

This achievement belongs not only to the resort but to everyone connected with it,  staff, guests, local communities, and well-wishers who have supported its journey. Every responsible choice made on the property, from biodegradable amenities to lake-friendly activities, contributes to a cleaner ecosystem and a healthier future.

The honor from the District Collector reinforces that when we respect nature, nature gives back, sometimes in beauty, sometimes in recognition.

Looking Ahead with Purpose

While this milestone is worth celebrating, it is also a reminder that sustainability is not a destination but a continuous path. ILLIKKALAM Lakeside Cottages remains committed to:

• Enhancing its eco-initiatives
• Supporting local culture and livelihoods
• Educating guests on responsible travel
• Preserving the charm and purity of Kumarakom for generations to come

The journey continues, strengthened by the 5-Leaf Certification and inspired by the belief that tradition and progress work best together.

Why Staying at a 5-Leaf Certified Property Matters to You

• Rooms, walkways, gardens and waterfronts are maintained without toxic chemicals
• No waste is dumped into the lake or nearby land , guaranteed by government-verified systems
• Greywater and sewage are treated scientifically, keeping the environment odour-free
• Plastic use is minimized, and alternatives are responsibly sourced
• Food is prepared using local ingredients, reducing transport footprint
• You leave no negative footprint behind, only memories

When you stay at ILLIKKALAM, you don’t just visit Kumarakom. You help preserve it.

ILIKKALAM welcomes travelers who value nature, simplicity, and authenticity and who wish to experience Kerala’s backwaters in a way that honors the land. This recognition is a proud moment, but also a humble reminder of the responsibility that comes with it.

Sustainability is not just a policy here. It is a way of life,quiet, steady, and deeply rooted, just like the waters of Vembanad Lake.

To all who have been part of this achievement: Thank you. The green leaf on our badge will always remind us to walk gently, serve sincerely, and protect lovingly.

More stories await by the lakeside.