Blue Flag Certification

Discussion

Blue flag certification has been given to 8 beaches of India, this decision has been taken by the International Judging Committee.

The Judging Committee consists of distinguished members of UNEP, UNWTO, FEE, AND IUCN

All these beaches are spread over five states and two union territories.

Following are the names of the 8 beaches receiving Blue Flag certification: -

1. Shivrajpur ( Dwarka Gujarat )
2. Kasarakod ( Karnataka )
3. Padubidri ( Karnataka )
4. Kappad ( Kerala )
5. Russian Konda ( Andhra Pradesh )
6. Golden ( Puri Orissa )
7. Radha Nagar (Andaman Nicobar Deep Group)
8. Ghoghla ( Diu )

India has become the first country to get Blue Flag certification in the first attempt

India has joined among the countries to get 50 blue flag tag of the world.

India is the first country in the Asia Pacific region to achieve this feat in just 2 years time.

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 Background of Blue Flag Certification

Each of the coastal states and union territories in India launched its flagship plan in 2018 for the development of a pilot beach.

As of December 2019, 31 pilots were identified for blue flag certification on the beaches.

However, in September last month, recommendation was given by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Ministry to give Blue Flag certification to only eight of these 13 seashores and only eight seashores received Blue Flag certification.

What is Blue Flag Certification

It is an international eco level awarded to beaches, seaports and sustainable voting tourism operators.

Beaches having blue flag certification are considered the cleanest beaches in the world.

On the beaches that get the Blue Flag certification, tourists and people visiting them get a clean and healthy bathing water, healthy environment etc.

The Jai certification is given by the Danish international agency Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

This certification is granted only after meeting 33 criteria. These 33 criteria are divided into four main points.

1. Environmental education and information
2. Bathing water quality
3. Environment management and conservation
4. Safety and services in the beaches

Apart from this, some other criteria are important which are given below

• Security
• Pollution free
• High quality water for bathing
• Two environmental education using ocean elements
• Bench to rest
• Gym etc.

The Blue Flag program started in France in 1985 and since 1987, Jai has also been implemented in Europe. Spain has the highest number of blue flag certification beaches.

Other Key Facts

India has also been awarded the third prize by the International Judging Committee for the best work done to control pollution in coastal areas.

Bing SICOM (society of integrated coastal management) under central environment forest and climate change has launched BEAMS (bache environment aesthetics management service) flagship program for sustainable development in India's coastal areas.

This flagship program has been started under the ICZM (integrated coastal zone management) project.

BEAMS aims to achieve blue flag certification.

The purpose of BEAMS

Reducing pollution on coastal waters and beaches

Promoting beach facilities and their sustainable development

Protecting and protecting coastal ecosystems and natural resources

Maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene and encouraging local authorities and stakeholders etc.

Providing beach safety as per coastal environment norms and regulations

Promoting beach tourism and recreation in perfect harmony with nature

The concept of ICZM was set in 1992 during the Earth Conference in Rio de Janeiro.

ICZM PRINCIPAL has been deployed for sustainable development and management of coastal areas.