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.
- The proposed land for the certification is used by the fishermen to anchor their boats.
- 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.
- The Blue Flag Programme for beaches and marinas is run by the international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation FEE (the Foundation for Environmental Education).
- 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.
