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On Sunday, India has received prestigious ‘Blue Flag’ certification for all its eight beaches, spread across five states and two union territories that were recommended by the government.
The recommendation was made on September 18 by the government.
Beaches awarded blue certification are
- Shivrajpur in Gujarat,
- Ghoghla in Diu,
- Kasarkod and Padubidri in Karnataka (2)
- Kappad in Kerala,
- Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh,
- Golden in Odisha and
- Radhanagar in Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
Blue Flag Certification
Blue flag can be obtained by a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) member countries.
Awarded by: Denmark-based non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) awards Blue Flag Certification.
Criterion: It is a globally most recognized eco-label accorded based on 33 stringent criteria under four major heads:
- Environmental education and information,
- Bathing water quality
- Safety and services at the beaches
- Environment management and conservation
In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.
The international jury for the award comprises of members of the Denmark-based NGO Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
From 50 countries 4,664 beaches have been selected so far by FEE for the eco-label. As of now Spain will around 684 Blue Flag Beaches, Marinas, and Boats, tops the list of Certifications, followed by France and Turkey.
Significance of recognition
Receiving Blue Flag Certification is an indication of high environmental and quality standards and certified beaches are considered the world’s cleanest beaches. Certification will promote tourism to the listed beaches in India.
India is now in the first country in the “Asia-Pacific” region which has achieved this feat in just about 2 years’ time and is now in the league of 50 “BLUE FLAG” countries.
About the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)
With members in 77 countries, FEE is the world’s largest non-government, non-profit organization promoting sustainable development through environmental education.
Following are 5 Environmental Education Programs by FEE:
- Blue Flag,
- Green Key
- Eco-Schools,
- Young Reporters for the Environment
- Learning about Forests
Organisation has been recognised by UNESCO and UNEP as a world-leader within the fields of Environmental Education and Education for Sustainable Development.
