Updated: October 12, 2020 9:14:04 pm
Kozhikode’s Kappad Beach is among the eight beaches selected for the label. (Image Source: Kerala Tourism / Facebook)
Eight beaches in India have been awarded the coveted ‘Blue Flag’ certification by an eminent international jury, which is comprised of members of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the United Nations World Tourism Organization Nations (UNWTO), the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
the beaches selected for certification They are: Kappad (Kerala), Shivrajpur (Gujarat), Ghoghla (Diu), Kasarkod and Padubidri (Karnataka), Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh), Golden (Odisha) and Radhanagar (Andaman and Nicobar Islands).
Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar said on Sunday (October 11): “It is an outstanding feat considering that no ‘Blue Flag’ nation has been awarded 8 beaches in a single attempt. recognition of India’s conservation and sustainable development efforts ”.
Earlier this year, the Center issued an Extraordinary Gazette Notification stating a list of activities and facilities that would be permissible in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas of certain beaches, which have been identified for certification of ‘ Blue flag’.
What is the ‘Blue Flag’ certification?
The ‘Blue Flag’ is a certification that can be obtained by a sustainable beach, marina or nautical tourism operator, and serves as an eco-label. The certification is awarded by the Denmark-based non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education, which sets strict environmental, educational, safety-related and access criteria that applicants must meet and maintain. It is awarded annually to the beaches and marinas of FEE member countries.
The Blue Flag program started in France in 1985 and in areas outside of Europe in 2001. The program promotes sustainable development in freshwater and marine areas through four main criteria: water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety. .
Forty-seven countries are currently participating in the program and 4,573 beaches, marinas and boats have this certification.
📣 Express explained is now in Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@ieexplained) and stay updated with the latest
In its July 2019 notification, the Ministry of the Environment identified the following beaches in India for Blue Flag certification: Shivrajpur (Devbhumi Dwarka, Gujarat), Bhogave (Sindhudurg, Maharashtra), Ghoghla (Diu, Daman and Diu) , Miramar (Panjim, Goa), Kasarkod (Karwar, Karnataka), Padubidri (Udupi, Karnataka), Kappad (Kozhikode, Kerala), Eden (Puducherry), Mahabalipuram (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu), Rushikonda (Visakhapatnam), Andhradesh Golden (Puri, Odisha), and Radhanagar (Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar).
What activities are allowed in the CRZ of certain beaches?
According to the notification issued in January, the following activities and facilities would be allowed in the CRZ of the beaches, including the islands, subject to maintaining a minimum distance of 10 meters from the High Tide Line (HTL):
a) Portable toilets, changing rooms and shower panels;
(b) Gray water treatment plant;
(c) Solid waste management plant;
(d) Solar power plant;
(e) Installation of purified drinking water;
(f) Access roads to the beach;
(g) Landscape lighting;
(h) Benches to sit and umbrellas to sit on;
(i) Outdoor fitness / play equipment;
(j) CCTV surveillance and control room;
(k) First aid station;
(l) Cloakroom service;
(m) Security watchtowers and safety equipment on the beach;
n) Layout of the beach, environmental information panels and other posters;
(o) Fenced, preferably vegetative;
(p) Parking facilities;
(q) Entrance door, tourist facilitation center; Y
(r) Other associated facilities or infrastructure, according to the requirements of the Blue Flag Certification.
The notification also stated that these activities and facilities would be exempt from prior authorization pursuant to the provisions of the CRZ Notification, Notification of Insular Protection Zone and Insular Coastal Regulation Zone Notifications.
📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay up to date with the latest headlines
For the latest news explained, download the Indian Express app.
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
.
