Start small, but it’s always great to start: Atmantan Wellness Centre Co-Founder Director on Earth Day

Earth Day 2022: Located in the Sahyadris and overlooking Mulshi Lake is the Atmantan Wellness Centre. The wellness and transformation centre, which spans an area of 42 acres is named as a portmanteau of ‘Atma’ or soul, ‘Man’ or mind and ‘Tan’ or body. Like most wellness centres, the centre tries to provide visitors with an experience that leads to transformation by understanding better nutrition and its impact on the functioning of the body. However, another aspect of the Atmantan Wellness Centre is that it is a Gold Leed-certified project, which is a green building certification. This means that the centre has been built according to green standards using the building strategies and practices recognised by Leed.

On the occasion of Earth Day, BW Hotelier spoke to Sharmilee Agarwal Kapur, Co-Founder Director of Atmantan Wellness Centre, to speak about the aspect of sustainability, while also briefly discussing the impact of the pandemic on the Atmantan Wellness Centre. “This Earth Day, we all need to consciously pledge to do our bit to not further ruin our environment, even if we can't contribute towards improving it. It starts with stopping littering, pollution, cutting down green covers or investing in energy guzzlers, etc. Go hybrid, even if you can't go completely green. We are only able to survive on Earth and while we look after personal health and wellness, we shouldn't side-track the health of our planet. Start small, but it’s always great to start,” she said. Edited Excerpts:

What are the building strategies and practices followed by Atmantan?

Our building strategies were all targeted to make sure that the landscape and layout of the land were not lost. Most of the 42 acres (close to 90%) is non-manicured, green and all with local flora and fauna. The buildings were so planned that they are minimalistic, and bring the colours of the landscape inside. Also since the wellness centre has breathtaking views, one always admires the view, and the entire property is oriented as such.

Gold Leed-certified project: What does this mean and why is it important?

Gold Leed is a green building certification programme that recognises best-in-class building strategies and practices, and the same has been awarded to Atmantan, as here we have been green and sustainable from the day we dug dirt the first time! Amongst some worthy measures is the fact that Atmantan has the largest Solar Hot Water Installation for a resort in the country, and that the Sewage Treatment Plant here is a revolutionary patented system (SIBF). Gold Leed has ensured Atmantan remains faithful to nature and contributes to it or at least doesn't harm it rather than just taking back from it.

Importance of sustainability at a wellness centre?

Atmantan as the name suggests is a place for the culmination of the atma+mana+tann and is the transformative wellness pit for everyone; in our opinion, wellness is about the sustainability of life and health, hence a wellness centre that is not sustainable means it will not be able to sustain a guest's health.

Why should sustainability be a point of focus for the hospitality industry?

The world this far has been taken for granted, much like we have taken our health for granted for these many years. Hence sustainability should be an undebated priority for the hospitality sector as well. Opulence, luxury and indulgence too can also be provided in a sustainable manner whether in a small or big way, if one commits to it.

What is the impact of sourcing food from local farms on the food variety offered at the centre?

The impact is brilliant every way you see it! The Loco Varian approach brings fresh, local produce (farm to table) to the consumer, and the local industry in turn gets a ready outlet for their produce. This helps them keep the pricing competitive, hence they use organic agricultural practices, which again in turn keeps the produce healthy and nutrient-rich. Consuming seasonal, unadulterated produce is the best recipe for healthy eating.

Is there any change in your marketing strategy in the post-COVID scenario? What has been your main focus - domestic or inbound travellers?

Our marketing strategy was always about reminding people to put themselves and their health first. Honestly, while our strategy hasn't changed much at all, the perspective and outlook of people in this new normal have changed. The pandemic was a reminder for all of us to not take our health for granted and like we say, we were always here for them and we are still here for all those looking to start getting healthier and who are looking for disease reversal and transformations.

Our focus was always domestic, even pre-COVID as we always felt that we Indians needed a place where we could go to get authentic wellness, without being judged and coerced, and they consumed wellness in a comfortable & happy place.

How did you manage the absence of inbound travellers and redefine your marketing plans?

This for us was not a concern as we always had 85-90% of our clientele from the domestic market.

Do you have any service standard accreditation, and if so, what is its significance?

We are a NABH certified wellness centre. This is the National Accreditation Board of Hospitals & Healthcare Providers of India certification which re-states our purpose of wellness by providing disease reversal, disease management and lifestyle transformations.