Eight Indian Beaches Recommended for Blue Flag

• 19 Sep 2020

Why in News

On the occasion of International Coastal Clean-Up Day, for the first time eight beaches of India are recommended for the coveted International eco-label, the Blue flag certification.

Key Points

• The eight beaches are:
  
  • Shivrajpur in Gujarat,
  • Ghoghla in Daman & Diu,
  • Kasarkod and Padubidri beach in Karnataka,
  • Kappad in Kerala,
  • Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh,
  • Golden beach of Odisha and
  • Radhanagar beach in Andaman and Nicobar.
• Blue Flag Certification:
  
  • Blue Flag beaches are considered the cleanest beaches of the world.
  • The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators.
  • In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.
  • The Blue Flag Programme for beaches and marinas is run by the international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation FEE (the Foundation for Environmental Education).
    
    • FEE (the Foundation for Environmental Education) was established in France in 1985.
  • On the lines of Blue Flag certification, India has also launched its own eco-label BEAMS.
• BEAMS
  
  • On this occasion, India has also launched India’s own eco-label BEAMS (Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services) under ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management) project.
  • This is launched by the Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
  • The objectives of BEAMS program is to:
    
    • Abate pollution in coastal waters,
    • Promote sustainable development of beach facilities,
    • Protect & conserve coastal ecosystems & natural resources,
    • Strive and maintain high standards of cleanliness,
    • Hygiene & safety for beachgoers in accordance with coastal environment & regulations.

Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan

• Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (ICZM) is a process for the management of the coast using an integrated approach, regarding all aspects of the coastal zone, including geographical and political boundaries, in an attempt to achieve sustainability.
  
  • The concept of ICZM was born in 1992 during the Earth Summit of Rio de Janeiro.
  • The specifics regarding ICZM is set out in the proceedings of the summit within Agenda 21.
• Implementation
  
  • It is a World Bank assisted project and is being implemented by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
  • The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai, is providing scientific and technical inputs.

Society of Integrated Coastal Management

• Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) has been established under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
• It has a vision for a vibrant, healthy and resilient coastal and marine environment for the continuous and enhanced outflow of benefits to the country and the coastal community.
• SICOM is the national project management unit of India in strategic planning, management, execution, monitoring and successful implementation of the ICZMP-Phase-I.

International Coastal Clean-Up Day

• It has been celebrated across 100 countries since 1986.
• The day is marked each year on the third Saturday of September as an initiative of the Washington-based Ocean Conservancy, a volunteer effort for ocean health.

Source PIB