Blue Flag Certification

Why is in news? Two more Indian Beaches enter the coveted list of Blue Beaches, says Environment Ministry

With this two, India now has 12 Blue Flag beaches, an eco-label given to the cleanest beaches in the world.

The Minicoy Thundi Beach and Kadmat Beach- both in Lakshadweep got the blue flag tag.

Blue Flag certification is a globally recognised eco-label accorded by “Foundation for Environment Education in Denmark” based on 33 stringent criteria.

In order to qualify for this prestigious award, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access-related criteria must be met and maintained.

The mission of Blue Flag is to promote sustainability in the tourism sector, through environmental education, environmental protection and other sustainable development practices.

The Blue Flag Programme for beaches and marinas is run by the international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation the ‘Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

It was started in France in 1985 and has been implemented in Europe since 1987, and in areas outside Europe since 2001, when South Africa joined.

Neat and clean beaches are an indicator that the coastal environment is in good health and the Blue Flag certification is a global recognition of India’s conservation and sustainable development efforts.

A waving “Blue Flag” is an indication of 100% compliance to these 33 stringent criteria and sound health of the beach.

The ‘Blue Flag’ beach is an ‘eco-tourism model’.

It marks out beaches as providing tourists and beachgoers clean and hygienic bathing water, facilities/amenities, a safe and healthy environment, and sustainable development of the area.

The other Indian beaches in the blue list are Shivrajpur-Gujarat, Ghoghla-Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri-Karnataka, Kappad-Kerala, Rushikonda- Andhra Pradesh, Golden-Odisha, Radhanagar- Andaman and Nicobar, Kovalam in Tamil Nadu and Eden in Puducherry beaches.