Crystal City Developers in Tahachal has launched an environment friendly concept -- green building -- for the first time in Nepal.

Under this, constructions are certified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-- an international certification system that ensures environment-friendly design in buildings.

"Green Building is the practice of constructing in such a way that is environmentally respondsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from sitting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and demolition", informed Tejendra Nath Shrestha, managing director of the company.

Crystal City, which is an apartment cum shopping complex being constructed by Crystal City Developers, emphasizes taking advantage from renewable resources like sunlight, wind energy and photovoltic techniques and aims to design buildings in a such a way that have no adverse impact on the environment. The 16-storey building that will be constructed with a total investment of Rs. 2 billion will have shopping complex til the third floor, buffer zone on the fourth floor and the remaining floors will have 75 residential apartments.

"The Crystal City Developers project will be monitored in seven categories: site sustainability, water efficiency and water use reduction, reduction in energy use and use of renewable energy resources, reusing materials, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design and regional priority in building,"informed Bibhuti Man Singh, senior architect and proprietor of Technical Interface who is looking after the project.

source: Bhuju, Kriti(2011)," Crystral city embraces 'Green Building' concept",republica, 1 Jan 2011