Eight beaches in India have been awarded the coveted ‘Blue Flag’ certification by an eminent international jury.
The beaches selected for the certification are:
Kappad (Kerala), Shivrajpur (Gujarat), Ghoghla (Diu), Kasarkod and Padubidri (Karnataka),
Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh), Golden (Odisha) and Radhanagar (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)
What is Blue Flag?
• The ‘Blue Flag’ is a certification that can be obtained by a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator, and serves as an eco-label.
• The certification is awarded by the Denmark-based non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education, which sets stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access-related criteria that applicants must meet and maintain. It is awarded annually to beaches and marinas in FEE member countries.
• The jury consists of members of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Facts about Blue Flag Programme
• Over 4600 beaches, boats, and marinas from around 50 countries have got the Blue Flag certification so far.
• The Blue Flag programme was started in France in 1985 and in areas out of Europe in 2001.
• Blue Flag certification is granted based on 33 criteria under four heads -- (i) environmental education and information, (ii) bathing water quality, (iii) environment management and conservation, and (iv) safety and services at the beaches.
• Spain has the record of receiving the highest number of Blue Flag tagged sites.
Significance for India
• Terming it a proud moment for India, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said the 'Blue Flag' certification is also a global recognition of India's conservation and sustainable development efforts.
• India is the first country in "Asia-Pacific" region which has achieved this feat in just about 2 years' time.
• India has also been awarded the third prize by the jury under the "International Best Practices" for pollution control in coastal regions.