The eco-friendly Roshni project at the palatial Rashtrapati Bhavan has not only encouraged green measures for waste management and energy conservation but also led to power savings.

The brain child of President Pratibha Patil is also being adopted by other Governor houses across the country.

According to a Rashtrapati Bhavan official, the programme was instrumental in reducing consumption of electricity in the President's Estate, spread in about 200 acres.

In 2010, there was a reduction of 22.3 per cent in electricity consumption and reduction of 16.8 per cent in the total number of units (Kwh) consumed, as compared to 2009.

"As a result, savings on electricity consumption were approximately Rs 1.64 crore and about 26 lakh units (Kwh)," the official said.

The ISO certified project was inaugurated by Patil in 2008 which was aimed at building a sustainable habitat through waste management, rain water harvesting, environment protection and pollution control, energy audit, usage and promotion of new and renewable sources of energy and by replacement of LPG by Piped Natural Gas.

Five self-help groups are engaged in activities like vermin composting and organic composting, masala grinding, beauty culture and production of paper bags under Roshni.

'Sopaan', a creche, is also in operation in the President's Estate for the benefit of children of labourers and daily wage earners working there.

Officials said so far 4,405 kg of organic compost amounting to Rs 35,240 and 48,827 kg of vermi-compost amounting to Rs 3,41,789 have been produced and being used in the Mughal Gardens.