Blue Flag Beaches "EMPOWER IAS"

In news:

• The Environment Minister has virtually hoisted the international blue flags in 8 beaches across the country

 

 

Blue Flag Certification:

• Blue Flag beaches are considered the cleanest beaches of the world.
• The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators.
• In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.
• The Blue Flag Programme for beaches and marinas is run by the international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation FEE (the Foundation for Environmental Education).
• FEE (the Foundation for Environmental Education) was established in France in 1985.
• On the lines of Blue Flag certification, India has also launched its own eco-label BEAMS.

 

Which are the 8 beaches?

The beaches where the International Blue Flags were hoisted are:

1. Kappad (Kerala)
2. Shivrajpur (Gujarat)
3. Ghoghla (Diu)
4. Kasarkod and
5. Padubidri (Karnataka)
6. Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh)
7. Golden (Odisha) and
8. Radhanagar (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)

 

BEAMS

• On this occasion, India has also launched India’s own eco-label BEAMS (Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services) under ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management) project.
• This is launched by the Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

 

The objectives of BEAMS program is to:

• Abate pollution in coastal waters,
• Promote sustainable development of beach facilities,
• Protect & conserve coastal ecosystems & natural resources,
• Strive and maintain high standards of cleanliness,
• Hygiene & safety for beachgoers in accordance with coastal environment & regulations.

 

Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan

• Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (ICZM) is a process for the management of the coast using an integrated approach, regarding all aspects of the coastal zone, including geographical and political boundaries, in an attempt to achieve sustainability.
• The concept of ICZM was born in 1992 during the Earth Summit of Rio de Janeiro.
• The specifics regarding ICZM is set out in the proceedings of the summit within Agenda 21.

 

Implementation

• It is a World Bank assisted project and is being implemented by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai, is providing scientific and technical inputs.