8 Indian Beaches to be added to “Blue Flag” International Eco-Label

Blue Flag beaches are considered the cleanest beaches in the world

• Eight Indian beaches have been recommended for the coveted International
  Blue Flag eco-label certification for the first time
• The recommendations made by an independent national jury comprises of
  eminent environmentalists and scientists
• It is done on the eve of „International Coastal Clean-Up Day‟ that is being
  celebrated across 100 countries since 1986

Key highlights of the recommendations

• The eight beaches that were recommended are Shivrajpur in Gujarat, Kasarkod
  and padubidri in Karnataka, Golden Beach in Odisha, Radha Nagar in
  Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goghla in Daman and Diu, Kappad in Kerala,
  Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh
• This is the first time the beaches are being recommended for the blue flag
  International eco-label
• The recommendations were made by independent National Jury that consisted
  of eminent scientists and environmentalists
• World Bank has also applauded India‟s efforts towards cleaning up its
  beaches. India with its strategies for sustainable coastal zone management
  shall act as a lighthouse for other countries in the region
• Indian Government exclaimed clean beaches are the testimony to the
  environment in the coastal area
• The issue of marine litter and oil spilling has caused disturbances to the
  aquatic life and the Government of India is undertaking various efforts for the
  sustainable development of coastal regions

Blue Flag certification and key facts

• The Blue Flag Certification is awarded by a Denmark based non-profit
  organization called the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)
• For the Blue Flag certificate, beaches needs to certify certain criteria related to
  environmental, educational, access and safety and there are 33 criteria in total
• The certificate is awarded only to the local authorities or private operators of the
  member countries
• The Blue Flag Program was started in France in 1985, originally.
• In 1987, it was presented to the Foundation for Environmental
  Education (FEE )
• After that, it became the European Blue Flag
• South Africa became the first country from outside Europe to join the
  program, in 2001
• Then, the initiative changed its name to “International Blue Flag”
• Currently, there are more than 4000 blue flag beaches worldwide and
  Spain has the largest number of blue flag certified beaches

Protocol of Certification

• The Blue Flag is an eco-label. It is mandatory for the Blue flag beaches
  to provide clean and hygienic bathing water to the tourists, besides the basic
  infrastructure
• Operators of beaches or boating tourism are also allowed to display the blue
  flag logo they have won
• It also check against the inequality, depletion of natural resources, disparity,
  unemployment, Pollution, health and environmental threats and other
  environmental degradation problems

What is Beach Environment & Aesthetic Management System (BEAMS)

• The BEAMS which is also referred as the Beach Management Services has been
  started under the integrated coastal zone management project of India
• It has been started to plan a sustainable tourism and healthy coastal
  management in India by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
  Change (MoEF&CC)
• BEAMS will work to reduce pollutants on the beaches
• The main objective of BEAMS program is to promote sustainable development
  in coastal regions of India

Pic courtesy : timesofindia.indiatimes.com