International Blue Flag hoisted at 8 beaches across the nation
On 28th December 2020, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Shri Prakash Javadekar virtually hoisted the international blue flags in 8 beaches across the nation.
India had secured the International Blue Flag Certification for these 8 beaches on 6th October 2020, when an International Jury comprising of member organizations UNEP, UNWTO, UNESCO, IUCN, ILS, FEE etc. announced the award at Copenhagen, Denmark.
Blue Flag certification is a globally recognised eco-label accorded by “Foundation for Environment Education in Denmark” based on 33 stringent criteria under four major heads — environmental education and information, bathing water quality, environment management and conservation, and safety and services at the beaches.
The beaches where the International Blue Flags were hoisted are:
- Kappad (Kerala),
- Shivrajpur (Gujarat),
- Ghoghla (Diu),
- Kasarkod and Padubidri (Karnataka),
- Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh),
- Golden (Odisha),
- Radhanagar (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)
India started its journey of sustainable development of coastal regions on World Environment Day in June’ 2018 by launching its beach cleaning campaign – I-AM- SAVING-MY-BEACH simultaneously at 13 coastal states and thereafter implementing ministry’s coveted program BEAMS (Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services).
Today, the introduction of BEAMS program in 10 coastal states have resulted into international level of cleanliness at beaches with over 500 tonnes of solid waste collected, recycled and scientifically disposed at these beaches reducing the menace of marine litter by over 78% and marine plastic by over 83%. Approximately 11000 KL of water was saved by recycling & reuse with BEAMS program, which has resulted into an increase in footfall at these beaches by over 85% cumulative.
