Odhisa beach is Asia’s first to get ‘Blue Flag’ tag

Odhisa beach is Asia’s first to get ‘Blue Flag’ tag

News:

1. The Chandrabhaga beach on the Konark coast of Odhisa is set to become Asia’s first beach with a ‘Blue Flag’ Certification

Important Facts:

2. About Blue Flag Tag:

• Blue Flag tag is given to environmental- friendly, clean beaches which are equipped with amenities of international standards for tourists
• There are 33 environment and tourism-related conditions for Blue Flag Certification- Few of them include:

1. Plastic-free,
2. Waste management,
3. Availability of clean water for tourists
4. Beach should have facilities to study the environmental impact around the area

• These standards were established in 1985 by Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Copenhagen

1. Blue Flag Tag in India

• Environment Ministry started the Blue Flag project in 2017
• In accordance with Blue Flag standards, 12 more beaches are being developed by Society for Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM). These include:

1. Chiwala, Bhogawe in Maharashtra
2. One beach each from Goa, Daman and Diu, Puducherry, Lakshadweep and Andaman and the Nicobar Islands

• SICOM is a body under Environment Ministry working for coastal area management