Why in news?
Eight beaches in India have been awarded the ‘Blue Flag’ certification by an eminent international jury.
Who are the jury members?
- It comprises members of the
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),
- United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO),
- Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
What are the beaches selected?
- The beaches selected for the certification are: Kappad, Shivrajpur, Ghoghla, Kasarkod, Padubidri, Rushikonda, Golden and Radhanagar.
- It is an outstanding feat considering that no ‘Blue Flag’ nation has ever been awarded for 8 beaches in a single attempt.
- This is also a global recognition of India’s conservation and sustainable development efforts.
- In January 2020, the Centre issued a Gazette Notification declaring a list of activities and facilities that would be permissible in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas of certain beaches.
- These beaches are those that are identified for obtaining the ‘Blue Flag’ certification.
What is the ‘Blue Flag’ certification?
- The ‘Blue Flag’ certification can be obtained by a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator, and serves as an eco-label.
- It is awarded by the Denmark-based non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
- It sets stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access-related criteria that applicants must meet and maintain.
- It is awarded annually to beaches and marinas in FEE member countries.
What is the Blue Flag programme?
- The Blue Flag programme was started in France in 1985 and in areas out of Europe in 2001.
- The programme promotes sustainable development in freshwater and marine areas through four main criteria.
- The four criteria include water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety.
- Forty-seven countries currently participate in the program.
- 4,573 beaches, marinas, and boats have this certification.
- In its July 2019 notification, the Environment Ministry identified the 12 beaches in India for Blue Flag certification.
What activities are permitted in the CRZ?
- The activities and facilities like portable toilet blocks, grey water treatment plant, solar power plant, etc., would be permitted in the CRZ of the beaches, including islands.
- This would be subject to maintaining a minimum distance of 10 meters from the High Tide Line (HTL).
- These activities and facilities would be exempt from prior clearance under the provisions of CRZ Notification, Island Protection Zone Notification and Island Coastal Regulation Zone Notifications.
Source: The Indian Express
