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19 September 2020.
Introduction:
On the occasion of the International Coastal Clean –up day, eight beaches of India have been recommended for the prestigious international eco-label, Blue Flag for the first time.It is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators.
Highlights:
- The announcement was made by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on September 19.
- The Indian beaches, selected by an independent national jury, are
- The Golden Beach (Puri) of Odisha,
- Radhanagar Beach in the Andaman island,
- Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh,
- Kappad in Kerala,
- Kasarkod and Padubidri in Karnataka,
- Ghogla in Diu, and Shivrajpur in Gujarat.
Blue Flag Certificate:
- Blue Flag beaches are considered the cleanest beaches of the world.
- The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators.
- In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.
- The Blue Flag Programme for beaches and marinas is run by the international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation FEE (the Foundation for Environmental Education).
- FEE (the Foundation for Environmental Education) was established in France in 1985.
About BEAMS:
- On this occasion, India has also launched India’s own eco-label BEAMS (Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services) under ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management) project.
- This is launched by the Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
BEAMS aim to:
- Control pollution in coastal waters,
- Promote sustainable development of beach facilities,
- Protect & conserve coastal ecosystems & natural resources,
- Strive and maintain high standards of cleanliness,
- Hygiene & safety for beachgoers in accordance with coastal environment & regulations.
About Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan
- Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (ICZM) is a process for the management of the coast using an integrated approach, regarding all aspects of the coastal zone, including geographical and political boundaries, in an attempt to achieve sustainability.
- The concept of ICZM was born in 1992 during the Earth Summit of Rio de Janeiro.
- The specifics regarding ICZM is set out in the proceedings of the summit within Agenda 21.
- Implementation
- It is a World Bank assisted project and is being implemented by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai, is providing scientific and technical inputs.
Society of Integrated Coastal Management
- Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) has been established under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
- It has a vision for a vibrant, healthy and resilient coastal and marine environment for the continuous and enhanced outflow of benefits to the country and the coastal community.
- SICOM is the national project management unit of India in strategic planning, management, execution, monitoring and successful implementation of the ICZMP-Phase-I.
International Coastal Clean-Up Day
- It has been celebrated across 100 countries since 1986.
- The day is marked each year on the third Saturday of September as an initiative of the Washington-based Ocean Conservancy, a volunteer effort for ocean health.