Earth Month: Healing the Planet

April 22nd, 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. 
In honour of this milestone, we will be turning the lens on our sustainability champions and
showcasing some of our most impactful green
initiatives worldwide throughout the month of April. 
From reef rehabilitation to elephant conservation, Anantara’s environmental programmes are woven into every hotels’ operations and we pride ourselves on encouraging our guests to participate in sustainable travel through meaningful community involvement in the destinations we are lucky enough to call home. 

Holistic Approach to Reef Protection (HARP) Programme

Launched in 2015 to reverse coral bleaching in the Maldives,
the Holistic Approach to Reef Protection (HARP) programme is bearing fruit.
For years, Anantara staff and guests have been painstakingly attaching fragments of rescued coral
to ropes and tables at coral nurseries of
Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli and Naladhu Private Island.
A 2019 field study by marine biologist Dr. Andy Bruckner revealed that rehabilitation
efforts have encouraged extraordinary growth across all the nurseries, giving hope for the future.

Anantara’s Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) 

The ongoing maintenance of the Cardamom Tented Camp is funded in part by Anantara guests via Anantara’s Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF). Set up in 2006 to improve the plight of Thailand’s elephants, it has since diversified to include welfare projects that incorporate broader philanthropic and cultural objectives with unprecedented success. Over 30 elephants have been rescued from Thailand’s city streets, accompanied by their entire mahout family. English lessons, education for children and a silk worm business are all part of the rehabilitation programme.

Cardamom Tented Camp, Cambodia

On land, Anantara sustainability efforts are focused on protecting Cambodian forests
that have been ravaged by illegal loggers, poachers and sand dredgers.
Nestled in Southern Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountain range,
the Cardamom Tented Camp is a non-profit eco lodge resting within 18,000 hectares of pristine land
which is funded by Anantara via the GTAEF.
All the funds generated by tourism are channelled into running the camp and into financing park ranger patrols.
Since funding began, a vibrancy has returned within this corridor of land and wildlife is thriving.

Smallholder Farmer Engagement Programme

The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia team works hard to ensure smallholder farmers
get a share of the tourism economy.
In addition to buying all the crop directly from the smallholders and forgoing the middleman,
the hotel supports Maramba Women’s Mushroom Farm and trains the 3,000-plus workers
at Nsongwe Women’s Farm in sustainable agriculture techniques.
Just as impactful is the Libuyu Women’s Peanut Butter Project empowering HIV-positive women
by outfitting a peanut butter factory and helping run it.

Zero Waste Commitment at Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort

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Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort has made operational sustainability the linchpin of its green programme.
A reverse osmosis plant produces 2,000 litres of clean water per day which is bottled for drinking
– critical for Tangalle, which suffers from occasional dry spells.
Degradable waste is composted and then used to fertilise a vegetable garden and rice field
that supply resort’s restaurants with fresh produce.
In partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature,
the resort also educates the public and local school children about turtle conservation and organises turtle walks.