Green Path
Water and Earth
Nika Green Path
Nika Island Resort has created its own environmental sustainability protocol called Nika Green Path and has embarked on concrete projects that involve a careful search for minimal impact in every department. We begin by raising awareness among our guests through a guided tour that, from a visit to the museum as a starting point, continues into the back of the resort, during which we showcase everything that is put into sustainable hotel management every day. We point out, through a small “vademecum” that we have in the room, 10 simple good habits to keep both in the resort and in everyday life, ranging from turning off the air conditioners when leaving the room, to changing the towels required to limit water consumption and the dispersion of detergents in the environment. We show them some virtuous examples by providing ceramic bottles with shampoos and body lotions, thus avoiding plastic toiletries. We are ambassadors of the Plastic Free Ngo association, which is active in Italy with more than 1,000 contacts and 250,000 volunteers; we have eliminated tens of thousands of single-serving plastic containers from our buffets, replacing them with glass containers; and we are involved in cleaning deserted islands and seabeds. The collected plastic is then recycled by Parley for the Oceans – with whom we partner – who deliver it for reprocessing to large sports shoe companies. We have installed a system for self-supply of drinking water that allows us, through the use of glass bottles, to eliminate 70,000 to 150,000 plastic bottles each year.
In our vegetable garden, from the very beginning, we have dedicated large tanks for the production of 0-kilometer vegetables, both in traditional cultivation and in aquaponics, a technology of the latter that allows enormous savings in fresh water. Our garden produces about 20 kg of salad and fresh vegetables every day, embodying our farm-to-table philosophy that promotes not only sustainability but also the health and well-being of our guests. We also buy local vegetables and fish from local fishermen to support the local economy. Daily pest control, which helps rid the environment of mosquitoes and human nuisance insects, is no longer done by spraying vegetation with chemicals, but through real mosquito traps and effective all-natural products. Similarly, we use environmentally friendly and 98 percent biodegradable products to clean the rooms. Waste management is one of the biggest challenges in the Maldives, and facilities for collection, separation and recycling of materials are still very limited. Therefore we have a composting facility for organic waste that processes 250 kg of wet waste per day producing about 35 to 50 kg of compost, which is mixed with soil and used to fertilize our plants and gardens. We have long since installed a glass crusher for recycling and a garden waste shredder. We have a biological wastewater treatment plant that returns water suitable for irrigation and fertilizer sludge, and we have installed a state-of-the-art dual-chamber incinerator for flue gas removal.
Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is deeply rooted in our commitment to the community. We offer career guidance to local students, regularly conduct human resource outreach programs, and promote local community involvement. We carry out coral planting and monitoring initiatives and are custodians of the most beautiful coral reef in the Maldives. Our marine conservation efforts are key; we offer eco-friendly aquatic activities, enforce a catch-and-release fishing policy, promote safe snorkeling practices, and are proactive in coral propagation. A bold and forthright interpretation of the contrast between the tourist presence and the powerful presence of Nature has been consistently given from the beginning of the tourist settlement. The permanence of the same family, participants and observers of the place, produces a pattern that manifests itself over time, beyond individual action. The Nika laboratory opens its doors, as well as its museum, to future explorations. Collaborations are born between biologists and architects, designers and agronomists, engineers and artisans. In the case of the green path taken here at Nika, it is about not sacrificing Nature to us humans, but using every means to learn, humanly. This translates into a path that is meant to embrace neighboring islands, educate people and make communities informed to participate, reflect and celebrate new and old good practices. All so that change is not just mind and investment, but heart, hands and legs, talking about “how” to do and not just unapproachable goals. We maintain a local employment rate in accordance with government regulations and provide employment opportunities for neighboring islanders. We value gender equality and diversity, offering equal opportunities to people of all genders and races. Our workforce is diverse and includes employees from all over the world to better assist our guests.