The Blue Flag is an environmental mark (certification) given to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boat tour operators that meet a set of criteria.
India's Blue Flag Beaches – 2021
Eight Indian beaches held a virtual and physical flag hoisting (‘Blue Flag') ceremony in December 2020, which was attended by the Union Environment Minister, State Ministers, and officials.
After South Korea, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, India is now the fourth Asian nation to have ‘blue flag beaches.'
In October 2020, the prestigious certification was conferred on eight beaches in India, namely:
- Golden Beach – Odisha
- Shivrajpur Beach – Gujarat
- Kappad Beach – Kerala
- Ghoghla Beach – Diu
- Radhanagar Beach – Andaman and Nicobar
- Kasarkod Beach – Karnataka
- Padubidri Beach – Karanataka
- Rushikonda Beach – Andhra Pradesh
All About Blue Flag Certification
- The Foundation for Environmental Education, a non-profit agency grants the Blue Flag Certification (FEE).
- Several strict standards or conditions must be met to receive the Blue Flag certificate.
- The requirements are concerned with the environment, education, accessibility, and protection.
There are 33 standards in all.
- Beaches, marinas (small ports or harbors built for pleasure yachts or boats), and sustainable boat tour operators in FEE member countries receive the qualification.
- The Blue Flag is an eco-label, and blue flag beaches should have safe, sanitary bathing water as well as simple tourist facilities.
- The blue flag logo may be displayed by operators of beaches or boating tourism who have been awarded the blue flag.
- Only local governments or private operators from member countries are eligible for this prize.
- Inequality, disparity, unemployment, loss of natural resources, health and environmental risks, pollution, and general environmental degradation are all issues that Blue Flag campaigns against.
- The Blue Flag Program was established in 1985 in France. In 1987, it was presented to the FEE. The European Blue Flag was developed as a result of this.
- The project was renamed International Blue Flag after South Africa became the first country outside of Europe to join the program in 2001.
- The FEE took on its new name at this time, dropping the ‘E' from its previous name, which had been European.
- There are over 4000 blue flag beaches worldwide, with Spain leading the way in terms of the number of beaches with this classification.
Blue Flag Mission
The following is a summary of the Blue Flag Program's mission:
- Promoting and taking part in environmental education programs for marina, resort, and boating operators' patrons.
- Putting in place effective protection and environmental management programs.
- To encourage sustainable tourism sustainability, we are committed to collective action and collaborations.
- Monitoring environmental conditions at marinas, beaches, and boating operators to reduce the effects of human activities.
- The Foundation for Environmental Education is a non-profit organization dedicated to environmental education (FEE)
About the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)
- The headquarters of the Charge is in Copenhagen, Denmark.
- It began in 1981 as the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe (FEEE).
- It currently has 77 countries as members.
- Its other programs include:
- Green Key
- Eco-Schools
- Young Reporters for the Environment
- Learning about Forests
- Global Forest Fund
