Blue flag programme

🔹 About

1. Programme for beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators & is run by the international, non- governmental, non-profit organisation FEE (the Foundation for Environmental Education)

2. Blue Flag beaches are considered the cleanest beaches of the world.

🔹 Criteria

1. a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.

2. Approx 33 criteria ranging from water meeting certain quality standards, having waste disposal facilities, being disabled- friendly, having first aid equipment, and no access to pets in the main areas of the beach.

🔹 On the lines of Blue Flag certification, India has also launched its own eco-label BEAMS (Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services).

🔹 Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services (BEAMS)

1. Comes under ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management) project.

2. Launched by the Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

3. Objectives:

a. Abate pollution in coastal waters

b. Promote sustainable development of beach facilities

c. Protect & conserve coastal ecosystems & natural resources

d. Strive and maintain high standards of cleanliness

e. Hygiene & safety for beachgoers in accordance with coastal environment & regulations

🔹 India's Beaches that have received Blue Flag Certification

1. Shivrajpur in Gujarat,

2. Ghoghla in Daman & Diu,

3. Kasarkod in Karnataka and,

4. Padubidri beach in Karnataka,

5. Kappad in Kerala,

6. Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh,

7. Golden beach of Odisha,

8. Radhanagar beach in Andaman and Nicobar.