Topics Covered: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Blue flag programme:
Context:
On the occasion of International Coastal Clean-Up Day (Celebrated since 1986), for the first time eight beaches of India are recommended for the coveted International eco-label, the Blue flag certification.
- International Coastal Clean-Up 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.
The eight beaches recommended are:
Shivrajpur in Gujarat, Ghoghla in Daman and Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri in Karnataka, Kappad in Kerala, Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh, Golden in Odisha and Radhanagar in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
About Blue flag programme:
The Blue Flag Programme for beaches and marinas is run by the international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation FEE (the Foundation for Environmental Education).
- It started in France in 1985 and has been implemented in Europe since 1987, and in areas outside Europe since 2001, when South Africa joined.
Definition:
The ‘Blue Flag’ beach is an ‘eco-tourism model’ and marks out beaches as providing tourists and beachgoers clean and hygienic bathing water, facilities/amenities, a safe and healthy environment, and sustainable development of the area.
Key facts:
- Japan and South Korea are the only countries in South and southeastern Asia to have Blue Flag beaches.
- Spain tops the list with 566 such beaches; Greece and France follow with 515 and 395, respectively.
Criteria:
There are nearly 33 criteria that must be met to qualify for a Blue Flag certification, such as the water meeting certain quality standards, having waste disposal facilities, being disabled- friendly, have first aid equipment, and no access to pets in the main areas of the beach. Some criteria are voluntary and some compulsory.
Beaches identified in India:
- 13 pilot beaches have been identified for the certification.
- Chandrabhaga beach of Odisha’s Konark coast is the first to complete the tag certification process.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- About Blue Flag certification.
- Programme implemented by?
- Announced by?
- India’s and Asia’s first beach to get this certificate.
- Country having highest number of blue flag beaches.
Mains Link:
Write a note on the Blue flag programme.
Sources: PIB.
