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What is the News?
The two more Indian beaches namely Kovalam beach in Chennai and Eden beach in Puducherry have been awarded the Blue Flag certification.
What is Blue Flag Certification?
‘Blue Flag’ is a certification that can be obtained by a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator, and serves as an eco-label.
The certification is awarded by the Denmark-based non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education.
Criterion: The certification is 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
Indian Sites under Blue Flag: There are now total of 10 sites under Blue Flag Certification. These are Shivrajpur – Gujarat, Ghoghla – Diu, Kaskarkod and Padubidri – Karnataka, Kappad – Kerala, Rushikonda – Andhra Pradesh, Golden – Odisha, Radhanagar – Andaman and Nicobar, Kovalam – TamilNadu and Eden beach in Puducherry.
What is the Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services (BEAMS) Initiative?
The BEAMS Initiative was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under the ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management) project.
Objectives: The objectives of the BEAMS Initiative is to abate pollution in coastal waters, promote sustainable development of beach facilities, protect & conserve coastal ecosystems & natural resources.
The other objectives include strive and maintain high standards of cleanliness, Hygiene & safety for beachgoers in accordance with coastal environment & regulations.
Source: This post is based on the article “Two more Indian Beaches get coveted International Blue Flag Certification” published in PIB on 22nd September 2021.
