Blue Flag Certification

Context

Recently, Minicoy Thundi beach and Kadmat beach, located in Lakshadweep, have received the International eco-label ‘Blue Flag’. 

Key-points

• Golden Beach in Puri was the first in Asia to receive a Blue Flag certificate.
• In 2021, Kovalam beach in TamilNadu and Eden beach in Puducherry received the blue flag tag.
• A 30-km stretch of the Marina Beach in Chennai is currently being developed for receiving Blue Flag Beach certification. 
• The government has allocated Rs.100 crore for the implementation of this project.

About 

• The Thundi Beach: It is one of the most pristine and picturesque beaches in the Lakshadweep archipelago.
• The white sand beach is lined by turquoise blue water of the lagoon.
• It is a paradise for swimmers and tourists.
• The Kadmat Beach: Kadmat Island, also known as Cardamom Island, is located in the Amindivi group of Islands.
• The Kadmat Beach is popular with cruise tourists who visit the island for water sports.
• It is a paradise for nature lovers with its pearl white sand, blue lagoon waters, its moderate climate and friendly locals.
• Both the beaches have designated staff for beach cleanliness and maintenance and for safety and security of swimmers. 
• Both the beaches comply with all the 33 criteria as mandated by the Foundation for Environment Education (FEE). 
• With the new additions, the number of beaches certified under the Blue Flag Certification is twelve.
• The other Indian beaches in the blue list are Shivrajpur-Gujarat, Ghoghla-Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri-Karnataka, Kappad-Kerala, Rushikonda- Andhra Pradesh, Golden-Odisha, Radhanagar- Andaman and Nicobar, Kovalam in Tamil Nadu and Eden in Puducherry beaches.

About Blue Flag’ certification

• The Blue Flag programme was started in France in 1985 and in areas outside of Europe in 2001. 
• 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
• Conservation and safety and services in the beaches
• It can be obtained by a beach, marina or sustainable boating tourism operator, and serves as an eco-label.
• The certification is awarded by the Denmark-based non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). 
• It is awarded annually to beaches and marinas in FEE member countries.
• It is accorded by the international jury composed of eminent members - 
• United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP)
• United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)
• Denmark-based NGO Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

• Forty-eight countries currently participate in the program, and 5042 beaches, marinas, and boats have this certification.