Home  /  Daily Current Affairs  /  22-09-2021 / Blue Flag Certification of Indian Beaches

Blue Flag Certification of Indian Beaches

Posted on September 22, 2021 by admin1  195

In News 

  • Kovalam in Tamil Nadu and Eden in Pondicherry beaches in India has been accorded the coveted ‘Blue Flag’ certification, taking the total number of such beaches in the country to 10. 

About 

  • Blue Flag certification, has also given re-certification for 8 nominated beaches Shivrajpur-Gujarat, Ghoghla-Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri-Karnataka, Kappad-Kerala, Rushikonda- Andhra Pradesh, Golden-Odisha and Radhanagar- Andaman and Nicobar, which were awarded the Blue Flag certificate last year.
    • A waving “Blue Flag” is an indication of 100% compliance to these 33 stringent criteria and sound health of the beach.
  • Achievements: In the last 3 years, India has achieved commendable results in the environmental management of these 10 beaches and some of them are enumerated below:
    • Sand dune restoration and nourishment of 95,000 Sqm (approx.) with native plantation.
    • Reduction in marine litter by 85 % and 78% in marine plastic in the last 3 years.
    • Scientific & responsible disposal of 750 tonnes of marine litter.
    • Improvement in cleanliness level from “C” (poor) to “A++(outstanding) through the scientific measurement system
    • Saving of 1100 ML/year of municipal water through recycling
    • 3 years’ database on regular testing of bathing water quality (physical, chemical and biological contamination) and health risk monitoring.
    • Approx. 1,25,000 beachgoers are educated for responsible behaviour on the beaches
    • Increase in footfall for recreation activities by approx. 80% leading to economic development.
    • Alternate livelihood opportunities for 500 fishermen families through pollution abatement, safety & services.
    • The Ministry is further committed to develop and deliver 100 more beaches under its ICZM initiative in the ensuing 5 years of the Ministry’s vision agenda.

Other initiatives  of India for sustainable development of coastal regions 

  • India started its journey of sustainable development of coastal regions on World Environment Day in June’ 2018 by launching its beach cleaning campaign – I-AM- SAVING-MY-BEACH simultaneously in 13 coastal states.
  • The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in its pursuit of “Sustainable Development” of the coastal regions of India embarked upon a highly acclaimed & flagship program Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services (BEAMS) which is one of the initiatives under the ICZM approach that the MoEF&CC has undertaken for the sustainable development of coastal regions of India.
  • This was aimed at achieving the globally recognized and coveted International eco-label “Blue Flag”, 
  •  Objective:  To protect and conserve the pristine coastal and marine ecosystems through holistic management of the resources.
    • To abate pollution in coastal waters, promote sustainable development of beach facilities, protect & conserve coastal ecosystems & natural resources, and seriously challenge local authorities & stakeholders to strive and maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene & safety for beachgoers in accordance with coastal environment & regulations. 
  • Impacts: The introduction of the BEAMS program in 10 coastal states have resulted in an international level of cleanliness at beaches with over 500 tonnes of solid waste collected, recycled and scientifically disposed at these beaches reducing the menace of marine litter by over 78% and marine plastic by over 83%. 
    • Approximately 11000 KL of water was saved by recycling & reuse with the BEAMS program, which has resulted in an increase in footfall at these beaches by over 85% cumulative.

What is the ‘Blue Flag’ certification?

  • The Blue Flag certification programme was started in France in 1985 and in areas out of Europe in 2001. 
  • The certification is awarded by the Denmark-based non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education.
    • FEE Denmark conducts regular monitoring & audits for strict compliance with the 33 criteria at all times.
  • It is a globally recognised eco-label accorded on the basis of 33 stringent criteria in four major heads which are  Environmental education and information, Bathing water quality, environmental management and conservation and safety and services in the beaches.
  • It can be obtained by a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator, and serves as an eco-label. 
  • It is accorded by the international jury composed of eminent members – United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP), United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Denmark-based NGO Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
  • The programme promotes sustainable development in freshwater and marine areas through four main criteria: water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety.

Source: PIB

 
Previous article Delay in Monsoon Withdrawal
Next article PM CARES Fund not Fund of GOI: HC

Other News of the Day

In Context Recently, India’s  Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) completed 53 years in service to the nation. About Established in 1968, to handle the nation’s international intelligence affairs, RAW came into force after the China-India War in 1962. At present, the intelligence arm operates under the aegis of the Prime Minister’s Office. RAW provides intelligence...
Read More

In News  Recently, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology proposed integrated Aroma Dairy Entrepreneurship for Jammu & Kashmir to augment the income of farmers. Objectives and Need   Jammu & Kashmir has an abundant stock of Animal Husbandry and Dairy resources and the same can be effectively integrated with Aroma Mission. This...
Read More

In Context Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s ‘’e-Sanjeevani’’ has conducted more than 1 Crore teleconsultations across India. It has grown over 1000% in the last 10 months. About the e-Sanjeevani Initiative About e-Sanjeevani was conceptualised by the Mohali branch of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in 2019 as a...
Read More

In Context The SPIN (Strengthening the Potential of India) scheme was recently launched by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) to help potters become self-sufficient. SPIN scheme It is an initiative through which KVIC will make it easier for potters to obtain low-interest bank loans, allowing them to diversify their businesses and increase their...
Read More

In News  Recently, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya released the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)’s 3rd State Food Safety Index (SFSI). About It aimed to determine the performance of States across five major parameters of Food Safety. The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare felicitated nine States/UTs...
Read More

In News Recently, the Central Government issued “uniform” parameters for fortified rice kernels (FRK) for grade ‘A’ and common rice. About The specifications have been issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. The fortified rice is to be distributed under various government schemes, including the public distribution system (PDS) and midday...
Read More

In News In the recent Dushanbe Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, Iran was given full membership. Now the total number of full members in SCO has gone up to 9. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has emphasised regional multilateralism as a countering force against unilateralism. Key Highlights of Iranian President’s Speech Shun unilateralism Iran criticised the...
Read More

In News Recently, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia and the External Affairs Minister of India held a meeting in New Delhi. Key Points of the Meeting This is the first ministerial visit from Saudi Arabia to India since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Both ministers discussed all issues related to their bilateral relationship...
Read More

In News Recently, the World Bank Group scrapped its flagship publication, the ‘Doing Business’ report. This report published the influential annual ranking of countries on the Ease of Doing Business (EDB) index.  Why was the Publication Scrapped? The Group acted on its commissioned study to examine the ethical issues flagged in preparing the 2018 and...
Read More