Proud Moment : 8 Indian Beaches get International Blue Flag Certification

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As a global recognition for India's conservation and sustainable development efforts, Eight beaches in India have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag certification, the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar announced yesterday.

 

The Blue Flag Certification has been awarded to 8 beaches spread across 5 states and 2 union territories namely :

• Shivrajpur Beach (Gujarat)
• Ghoghla Beach (Diu)
• Kasarkod Beach (Karnataka)
  
• Padubidri Beach (Karnataka)
• Kappad Beach (Kerala)
• Rushikonda Beach (Andhra Pradesh)
• Golden Beach (Odisha) and
• Radhanagar Beach (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)

These beaches were recognized by an international jury comprising of eminent members of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Denmark-based NGO Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

What is Blue Flag Certification ?

The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognized voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. The Blue Flag certification is a globally recognised eco-label accorded by "Foundation for Environment Education, Denmark" based on 33 stringent criteria under four major heads -- environmental education and information, bathing water quality, environment management and conservation, and safety and services at the beaches.

India till now had none of its beaches tagged as “Blue Flag”.  With this, India became the first country in “Asia-Pacific” region which has achieved this feat in just about 2 years’ time.  Japan, South Korea and the UAE are the only other Asian nations who have been conferred with a couple of Blue Flag beaches, however, in a time frame of about five to six years. Spain, so far, has the highest number of Blue Flag certified sites.

Important Note :  India has also been awarded the 3rd prize by the jury under the "International Best Practices" for pollution control in coastal regions.

 

 

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