India Becomes World’s First Country To Get Blue Flag Eco-Label For 8 Beaches

Who doesn’t love a serene or a fun moment at the beach? The sea, the weather and the calm rejuvenates us to the core. But beaches are also a collective responsibility, to keep them clean. The government of India recommended eight beaches of the country for the coveted ‘Blue Flag’ international eco-label n September 18. And now India became the world’s first country to get the ‘Blue Flag’ for all 8 recommended beaches in its very first attempt. This means India houses 8 of the cleanest beaches in the world, spread across 5 states and 2 Union Territories. And India’s many beaches are among the best in the world.

Blue Flag Certification: Globally Recognised Eco Label For Beaches

Blue Flag certification is a globally recognised eco-label accorded by an international agency ‘Foundation for Environment Education, Denmark’. It’s based on 33 stringent criteria in four major heads. They are–environmental education and information, bathing water quality, environmental management and conservation and safety and services in the beaches.

The ‘Blue Flag’ beach is an eco-tourism model endeavouring to provide the tourists/beachgoers clean and hygienic bathing water, facilities/amenities, safe and healthy environment and sustainable development of the area.

Also Read: Mumbaikars May Now Be Able To Camp Overnight On A Beach

India’s 8 Gorgeous Beaches Get Blue Flag Certification

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar announced in a tweet on October 11 the 8 beaches recommended by India on September 18,  all received the coveted Blue Flag Eco Label, in its very first attempt. He exclaimed that its indeed a moment of great pride for India as no other Blue Flag country ever received the certification for 8 beaches in a single attempt.

Prime Minister Modi, tweeted that it’s a “wonderful feat”. He explained in his tweet that this move shows that India pays a lot of importance to conserving such areas and maintaining sustainable development.

India’s Radhanagar, Padubidri, Golden, Kappad Beaches Get Blue Flag Certification

The 8 beaches which are awarded this certification are Radhanagar in Andaman, Shivrajpur in Gujarat, Kasarkod and Padubidri in Karnataka, Ghoghla in Diu, Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh, Golden in Odisha and Kappad in Kerala. India also received the third prize by the jury under the “International Best Practices” for pollution control in coastal areas.

In a series of tweets,  Javadekar informed that India also became the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to achieve this feat in just 2 years. Countries like the UAE, South Korea and Japan took around five to six years to get this coveted award. World Bank’s country director Zunaid Khan applauded India’s efforts towards cleaning up its beaches.  India with its strategies for sustainable coastal zone management shall act as a lighthouse for other countries in the region.

Also Read: India’s Radhanagar Beach In Andaman Voted World’s 16th Best Beach

India Launches Its Own Clean Beach Tag BEAMS

The event also saw the launch of India’s own eco-label BEAMS by e-hoisting the flag -#IAMSAVINGMYBEACH simultaneously at these eight beaches. SICOM, MoEFCC in pursuit of promoting its policies for sustainable development in coastal regions embarked upon a highly acclaimed program “BEAMS” (Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services) under its ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management) project.

Government of India undertook this along with many other projects of ICZM. They do this for the sustainable development of coastal regions, striving for globally recognized and the coveted eco-label ‘Blue flag”. The flag hoisting program was conducted simultaneously at these 8 beaches virtually from MOEFCC and physically at the beaches by respective States/UTs through its MLAs and/or Chairman of Beach Management Committees (BMCs). Speaking on the occasion, Union Environment Secretary, RP Gupta said that they continue to maintain high standards to clean the beaches to keep the environment safe. And in the next four to five years they will clean 100 more beaches.

Also Read: I Visited This Beach Resort Just 2 Hours From Mumbai & It Reminded Me Of Goa

BEAMS Program Aims To Reduce Pollution In Coastal Waters & Conserve Eco Systems

The objective of BEAMS program is to abate pollution in coastal waters, promote sustainable development of beach facilities, protect and conserve coastal ecosystems and natural resources, and seriously challenge local authorities & stakeholders to strive and maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene & safety for beachgoers following coastal environment & regulations. This program promotes beach recreation in absolute harmony with nature.

International Coastal Cleanup Day started in in 1986 when Linda Maraniss met Kathy O’Hara while working for Ocean Conservancy. O’Hara had just completed a report called Plastics in the Ocean: More Than a Litter Problem. The two of them reached out to other ocean-lovers and organized a Cleanup for Ocean Conservancy. The first Cleanup consisted of 2,800 volunteers. Since then, the Cleanup has grown into an international event in more than 100 countries. Meanwhile, check out this video to see Kamiya Jani’s list of best beaches.