The globally esteemed Foundation for Environment Education (FEE), based in Denmark, has recently awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Certification to two more Indian beaches – Kovalam in Tamil Nadu and Eden in Puducherry. These additions bring India’s total number of Blue Flag certified beaches to 10, each of them held to the highest environmental standards of cleanliness and safety. This article will delve deeper into the specifics of this certification, as well as its importance for Environmental education, the quality of bathing water, Environmental management and Conservation and safety services on the beaches.
About the Blue Flag Certification
The Blue Flag is an international eco-label that is granted based on the adherence to 33 stringent criteria. These criteria fall under four main categories: environmental education and information, bathing water quality, environmental management, and conservation and safety services at the beaches. Beaches that have been graced with the Blue Flag are considered among the cleanest in the world.
The certification fosters an eco-tourism model, aiming to provide tourists and beach-goers with clean and hygienic bathing water, adequate facilities, a safe and healthy environment, and sustainable development of the area. The awarding body is an international jury which includes eminent representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the Denmark-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
India’s Own Eco-label: BEAMS
Following the Blue Flag model, India has introduced its own eco-label, known as BEAMS (Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services). The BEAMS program falls under the jurisdiction of ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management), a project launched by the Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
The objectives of the BEAMS program include abating pollution in coastal waters, promoting the sustainable development of beach facilities, protecting and conserving coastal ecosystems and natural resources, striving to maintain high cleanliness standards, and ensuring hygiene and safety for beach-goers in accordance with coastal environment and regulations.
Benefits of BEAMS
The BEAMS program has had substantial environmental successes to date, including saving approximately 1,100 million litres of municipal water per year through recycling. The program has educated around 125,000 beach-goers about responsible behaviour at the beaches and has provided alternative livelihood opportunities to 500 fishing families through pollution abatement, safety, and services. Additionally, it has boosted recreational activities at the beaches by approximately 80%, leading to economic development.
Other Indian Beaches with Blue Flag Certification
Prior to Kovalam and Eden, eight other Indian beaches had been awarded Blue Flag Certification. These include 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 the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These accolades serve as a testament to the ongoing commitment to preserving India’s coastal regions while promoting sustainable tourism.
Sources: Press Information Bureau, Government of India.