Protest Against Blue Flag Beaches

• 23 Apr 2021

Why in News

Recently Odisha government’s plan to get Blue Flag Certification for five beaches was opposed by the fishermen.

• Odisha planned to develop five more beaches in three districts to meet international standards after receiving the certification for Puri’s Golden Beach in 2020.

Key Points

• Fishermen’s Demands:
  
  • The proposed land for the certification is used by the fishermen to anchor their boats.
    
    • They want a permanent sea mouth to anchor the fishing boats.
  • Protection of livelihood should be ensured and protected.
  • Reopening of a new fishing jetty.
• 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.
  • Criteria for Certification:
    
    • In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.
    • There are around 33 criteria that are to be met to qualify for a Blue Flag certification,
      
      • Such as the water meeting certain quality standards, having waste disposal facilities, being disabled- friendly, having first aid equipment, and no access to pets in the main areas of the beach.
    • Some criteria are voluntary and some compulsory.
  • Organisations:
    
    • 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 (Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services).

BEAMS

• Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services that comes under ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management) project.
• This was 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.

• There are eight beaches in India which have received Blue Flag Certification:
  
  • Shivrajpur in Gujarat,
  • Ghoghla in Daman & Diu,
  • Kasarkod in Karnataka and,
  • Padubidri beach in Karnataka,
  • Kappad in Kerala,
  • Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh,
  • Golden beach of Odisha,
  • Radhanagar beach in Andaman and Nicobar.

Source DTE