Good News Two more Indian beaches awarded Blue Flag tag check details here

pOn Tuesday good news came for India as two more Indian beaches have been awarded lsquoBlue Flagrsquo certification an international eco-level tag taking the total number of such beaches in the country to 10 the Environment Ministry saidppThe two beaches to receive the certification this year are Kovalam in Tamil Nadu and Eden in Puducherry it saidppThe Foundation for Environment Education FEE Denmark which accords the Blue Flag certification has also given re-certification for eight nominated beaches – Shivrajpur-Gujarat Ghoghla-Diu Kasarkod and Padubidri-Karnataka Kappad-Kerala Rushikonda- Andhra Pradesh Golden-Odisha and Radhanagar- Andaman and Nicobar which were awarded the Blue Flag certificate last year the ministry saidppThese eight beaches got the Blue Flag certification on October 6 2020ppUnion Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav expressed happiness over the development and said it is another milestone in Indias journey towards a clean and green India led by Prime Minister Narendra ModippHappy to announce India now has 10 International Blue Flag beaches with the addition of Kovalam amp Eden beaches this year and recertification for 8 beaches which got the tag in 2020 Another milestone in our journey towards a clean and green India led by PM Shri NarendraModi Ji Yadav tweetedppBlue Flag certification is a globally recognised eco-label accorded on the basis of 33 stringent criteria in four major heads which are environmental education and information bathing water quality environmental management and conservation and safety and services in the beachesppThe Blue Flag beach is an eco-tourism model endeavouring to provide the touristsbeachgoers clean and hygienic bathing water facilities a safe and healthy environment and sustainable development of the areappThe recommendations are done by an independent national jury composed of eminent environmentalists and scientistsppBlue Flag beaches are considered the cleanest beaches of the world according to the ministryppThe Blue Flag label is accorded by the international jury composed of eminent members – United Nations Environment ProgrammeUNEP United Nations World Tourism Organisation UNWTO Denmark-based NGO Foundation for Environmental Education FEE and International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCNppA waving Blue Flag is an indication of 100 per cent compliance to the 33 stringent criteria and sound health of the beach the ministry had earlier saidppIndia had started its journey of sustainable development of coastal regions on World Environment Day in June 2018 by launching its beach cleaning campaign ndash I-AM- SAVING-MY-BEACH simultaneously at 13 coastal states and thereafter implementing the ministrys coveted programme Beach Environment and Aesthetics Management Services BEAMSppldquoThe Ministry of Environment in its pursuit of sustainable development of the coastal regions of India embarked upon a highly acclaimed and flagship programme BEAMS which is one of the initiatives under its integrated coastal zone management ICZM approach that the ministry has undertaken for the sustainable development of coastal regions of India with a prime objective to protect and conserve the pristine coastal and marine ecosystems through holistic management of the resourcesrdquo the ministry said in a statement issued here on TuesdayppThe objective of the BEAMS programme 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 and stakeholders to strive and maintain high standards of cleanliness hygiene and safety for beachgoers in accordance with coastal environment and regulationsppldquoIn the last three years or so our ministry has achieved commendable results in the environmental management of these 10 beaches which include sand dune restoration and nourishment of 95000 sqm approx with native plantation reduction in marine litter by 85 per cent and marine plastic by 78 per cent in the last three years scientific and responsible disposal of 750 tonnes of marine litter improvement in cleanliness level from lsquoCrsquo poor to lsquoArsquo outstanding through scientific measurement systemrdquo the statement saidppThe Environment Ministry said it has also saved 1100 mlyear of municipal water through recycling educated around 125000 beachgoers about responsible behaviour at the beaches provided alternate livelihood opportunities to 500 fishermen families through pollution abatement safety and services and has also increased footfall for recreation activities at the beaches by approximately 80 per cent leading to economic developmentppThe ministry said it is committed to developing and deliver 100 more beaches under its ICZM initiative in the ensuing five yearsppIn December last year the ministry had virtually hoisted the international Blue Flags in eight beaches across the country The flags were also simultaneously hoisted on these beaches physically by state ministers and senior officials of the respective state and Union territoriesnbspp