NEW DELHI: India has set itself the ambitious goal of achieving the coveted Blue flag label for its 100 more beaches in the next three years. Currently, the country has eight of these beaches, recognized as clean, safe and environmentally friendly marine sites.
The Blue Flag certification is a globally recognized eco-label awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education in Denmark, based on 33 strict criteria related to environmental, bathing water quality, educational, safety, service and accessibility standards.
By announcing that 100 more beaches of this type will become Blue Flag in the next three or four years, the Union Minister of the Environment Prakash Javadekar said that beach clean-up should become a “Jan Andolan” (popular movement) not only for its aesthetic value and tourism prospects, but more importantly to reduce the threat of marine litter and make the coastal environment sustainable.
He spoke after virtually flying the international blue flags on eight beaches across the country. The flags were also raised simultaneously on these beaches physically by state ministers and senior officials of the respective states and Union Territories.
The eight Indian beaches, which received the Blue Flag label in October, are Shivrajpur (Dwarka, Gujarat), Ghoghla (Diu), Kasarkod and Padubidri (Karnataka), Kappad (Kerala), Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh), Golden Beach (Puri, Odisha) and Radhanagar (Andaman and Nicobar Islands).
Blue Flag beaches are considered the cleanest in the world. So far, more than 4,600 beaches, marinas and boats from around 50 countries have obtained the Blue Flag certification. Spain has the highest number of Blue Flag tagged sites.
To achieve the goal of having blue flags for an additional 100 beaches, the Ministry of the Environment launched India’s own eco-label ‘BEAMS’ (Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services) in September as part of its Integrated Coastal Zone Management ( ICZM).
“The introduction of the BEAMS program in 10 coastal states has resulted in an international level of beach cleanliness with more than 500 tons of solid waste collected, recycled and scientifically disposed of on these beaches, reducing the threat of marine litter in more than 78% and marine plastic in more than 83% ”, said a statement from the Ministry of Environment.
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