The Odisha Lok Bhavan, the official residence of the Governor of Odisha, has made history by becoming the first Governor House campus in India to receive the IGBC Platinum Certification under the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) Green Campus Ratings. The milestone was formally recognised during a joint press conference held at Lok Bhavan, Bhubaneswar.
The certification plaque was handed over to Governor Shri Hari Babu Khambhapati by Mr C Shekar Reddy, National Chairman of IGBC, in the presence of the Minister of Works, Law & Excise, Government of Odisha, along with the Principal Secretaries of the Energy and Environment Departments.
What Is IGBC Platinum Certification?
The IGBC Green Campus Rating is a nationally recognised framework that evaluates institutional campuses on parameters such as energy efficiency, water conservation, biodiversity, waste management, and sustainable infrastructure. Achieving the Platinum tier — the highest rating available — places a campus among the most sustainable in the country.
Odisha Lok Bhavan scored an outstanding 88 out of 100, cementing its position as one of the highest-rated green campuses in India.
Key Highlights of the Green Campus Achievement
Biodiversity and Green Cover
One of the most striking features of the Lok Bhavan campus is its exceptional biodiversity. The campus maintains more than 80% green cover, with a documented count of 2,374 trees spanning 72 distinct tree species. This level of ecological preservation within a government campus is rare and sets a benchmark for institutional landscaping in India.
Water Conservation
The campus has implemented a robust water management system that has driven a reduction of more than 35% in overall water consumption. A comprehensive rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge system ensures sustainable water use year-round, reducing dependency on municipal supply.
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Odisha Lok Bhavan has commissioned a 635 kWp solar power installation, significantly reducing its reliance on grid electricity. The campus also maintains an impressive Energy Performance Index of 50.57 kWh/m²/year, reflecting highly optimised energy usage across its buildings and facilities.
Waste Management
The campus has adopted a zero-landfill approach to solid waste. It achieves 100% treatment and reuse of organic waste and ensures 100% diversion of dry waste from landfill, making it a model for circular waste management in government establishments.
Green Mobility
Internal movement within the campus is supported by electric vehicle-based transport, accompanied by a dedicated EV charging infrastructure — a forward-looking investment aligned with India’s national green mobility goals.
A Historic First for Indian Governance
The Odisha Lok Bhavan’s certification marks a turning point in how government institutions can lead by example in environmental stewardship.
Beyond the technical achievements, this recognition carries symbolic significance. It signals that government campuses can and should be active participants in India’s sustainability transition. The fact that a Governor House — traditionally associated with heritage architecture and protocol — has embraced modern green building standards is both inspiring and replicable.
Read more about IGBC Green Ratings and certified buildings across India
Odisha’s Commitment to Sustainability
This certification aligns with the broader environmental vision of the Government of Odisha, which has been expanding renewable energy capacity and strengthening ecological conservation across the state. The involvement of the Energy and Environment Departments at the ceremony underscores the institutional commitment behind this achievement.
