K.K. Sekhar, Chair of the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) Goa, speaks on his vision for a sustainable and green Goa
As Chair of the IGBC Goa Chapter, what is your long-term vision for green buildings in Goa?
I believe my vision should not be limited only to green buildings, it should encompass a much broader goal: enabling a sustainable built environment and a sustainable way of life for the people of Goa.
The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), formed in 2001 by CII with the support of key stakeholders in the construction industry, has been playing a vital role in driving this mission forward. This year marks a special milestone as IGBC celebrates 25 years of shaping India’s green and net-zero building movement.
This vision also ties back to an important local initiative. Around 2014–2015, a committee led by Dr Raghunath Mashelkar prepared the report ‘Goa Vision Document 2035.’ This document addressed the challenges of sustainable development and conservation under the concept of ‘Santulit Goa’ (A Balanced Goa). Much of what I envision for Goa resonates with this report; particularly the emphasis on preserving and promoting our cultural values, nurturing ‘Susanskrut Goa’ (Cultured Goa), and ensuring good governance.
Ultimately, IGBC’s mission is to enhance the quality of life and overall well-being of people. My vision, therefore, is for Goa to become a model state where sustainable living is not just a concept, but a way of life deeply embedded in our culture, education, and governance.
How do you define ‘sustainable development’ in the Goan context, given our unique ecology and cultural heritage?
When we talk about sustainable development in Goa, I believe it is not something new, it’s something we have lived with for centuries. Our ancestors instinctively knew how to balance ecology and resources, ensuring that development never came at the cost of nature. Goa has always had a unique way of life, one that is deeply connected to its environment, culture, and traditions.
At IGBC, our approach to sustainability is beautifully captured in the framework of the five elements of nature (Pancha Bhutas); Light (Akash), Air (Vayu), Water (Jal), Earth (Prithvi), and Energy (Agni). These elements are not just symbolic but serve as a practical foundation for sustainable living. When we look back at Goa’s traditional practices, we see this wisdom in action:
• Architecture that embraced natural light and ventilation.
• Locally sourced materials like laterite stone, mud, and lime for construction.
• Water conservation techniques such as rainwater harvesting, community wells, and bunds for irrigation.
• Everyday use of bio-degradable and reusable resources that minimized waste.
These were not just sustainable choices; they were a way of life that kept communities in harmony with nature while ensuring long-term well-being.
Today, as we face the pressing challenges of climate change, urbanization, and resource depletion, it is clear that the answers lie in these timeless lessons of eco-wisdom. Somewhere along the way, we lost this balance, but it is upon us, as stakeholders of IGBC and as Goans, to relearn, revive, and adapt these practices for the present and future.
In the Goan context, therefore, sustainable development means honouring our unique ecology and cultural heritage while integrating modern green practices.
What role does IGBC Goa play in shaping policies or influencing the state government on sustainable infrastructure?
The IGBC Goa Chapter is already playing a meaningful role in shaping sustainable infrastructure in the state, particularly through its MoU with the Town & Country Planning (TCP) Department. Under this partnership, IGBC serves as a ‘Sustainability Partner,’ helping to embed green building concepts directly into Goa’s development plans and policies. This collaboration ensures that sustainability is not just a buzzword but an integral part of how the state grows.
Beyond policy alignment, we have been proactive in creating awareness and capacity-building programmes for government officials, industry professionals, and stakeholders. These sessions are designed to bridge the knowledge gap and highlight the tangible benefits of adopting green building practices through cost savings, efficiency, and long-term resilience.
The Government of Goa, in fact, has been very active in encouraging IGBC ratings for various development projects. This is particularly important in Goa, where the large number of resorts and hotels puts considerable stress on water and energy resources. IGBC is working closely with the Pollution Control Board (PCB) and the Tourism Department, among others, to enhance the resource efficiency of both existing properties and new Greenfield projects.
Could you share some landmark green building projects in Goa that you believe set a benchmark for others?
Goa has been steadily making its mark on the green building landscape, and I am proud to say that the state has already registered 78 projects under IGBC, with 22 of them certified as green buildings.
On the government front, there are several landmark projects that stand out. The Manohar International Airport in Mopa is perhaps the most prominent example, as it is shaping up to be a model of sustainable infrastructure at a national level. Other noteworthy government-led projects include the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the NIT Goa Campus Phase-1, both of which are built with a strong focus on resource efficiency and long-term sustainability.
The private sector has also played a vital role in taking this movement forward. Projects like Viva Inorbit Mall, Vicente Greens, Cotton House, and Cinnabar House have demonstrated how commercial and residential developments can embrace green concepts without compromising on aesthetics or functionality. Likewise, hospitality projects such as Nanu Resort, Club Mahindra Varca, Club Mahindra Emerald Palms, Navovado, and IBIS Hotels are setting benchmarks by adopting sustainable practices in an industry that traditionally places heavy demands on energy and water resources.
What incentives – financial or regulatory – do you feel the government should provide to encourage green construction?
Goa already offers a tangible incentive: as per the Official Gazette (Extraordinary No. 2, 9 August 2023), projects in Goa pre-certified or provisionally certified by IGBC can seek an additional Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 10%, subject to government approval.
The state’s ‘Incentives to Green Investment Scheme, 2017’ grants reimbursements – e.g. 25% of audit cost for energy and water audits; and up to 40% of capital cost for energy conservation equipment.
Regulatory incentives could include simplified approvals, fast-track building plan approvals for IGBC green-rated projects. Reduction of development charges for projects meeting IGBC rating could play a crucial role in early adoption of sustainable construction practices.
Non-financial incentives such as public recognition awards would involve the public at large, creating awareness and create demand of such development by the clients / end user of the projects.
Goa is both a tourism hub and an ecologically sensitive state. How can green building practices protect this balance?
Maintaining the delicate balance between Goa’s role as a tourism hub and its ecological sensitivity is crucial. This balance can only be achieved through the adoption of sustainable tourism practices that prioritise the well-being of local communities and protect the ecologically sensitive zones of our small state, especially its fragile ecosystems and water bodies. Tourism must first respect Goa’s local environment and culture.
Though sustainable tourism has been discussed for years with several initiatives proposed, many remain unimplemented. IGBC has demonstrated that by following green building practices, Goa can protect its ecology by minimizing the environmental impact of construction. This is achieved through the use of sustainable materials and energy-efficient designs. Additionally, promoting eco-friendly accommodations that blend seamlessly with nature, conserve critical resources like water and energy, and reduce waste helps foster a harmonious balance.
How do you see heritage conservation aligning with modern green building practices in Goa’s old towns and villages?
Goa has a very unique heritage, both cultural and living as well as architectural, which have retained its own unique and authentic character. Yes it is in the danger of losing that with rapid development across Goa. The heritage houses of Goa posses a certain warmth and charm of the Portuguese era. We need to preserve this ‘Inherited value’ by harmonious reuse of these old structures and yet retain the originality.
Now coming to the living heritage like the khazans of Goa, these khazans ensure carbon storage across entire estuarine systems through mangroves, wetlands, and collective land management. Khazan wisdom shows how settlements can be designed with, not against, natural hydrology and coastal dynamics. It is a system inherently adaptive to sea-level changes and climate variability, lessons increasingly vital in today’s crisis.
Goa’s future depends on harmonising global Green standards with local heritage. Green buildings can bring technical innovation; khazans contribute time-tested ecological intelligence. Together, they can ensure that conservation of cultural landscapes is not backward-looking but forward-looking – offering Goa a model of climate resilience where ecology, culture, and modern design coexist in harmony.
What is your message to young architects, engineers, and entrepreneurs in Goa who want to build sustainably?
My message is take a holistic and responsible approach by integrating social, cultural, and spiritual dimensions alongside technical, legal, and business considerations. This can be done by engaging with the communities to understand local values, assessing impacts on social and traditional structures; in order to ensure sustainable and beneficial outcomes for all the stakeholders. We need a paradigm shift in how we approach land use, water & waste management and most importantly, our consumption habits. Drop greed and embrace contentment. Remember we are all in this together
