How Many Blue Flag Beaches in India

Introduction

The Blue Flag is a certification given by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism establishments that follow its rules. The trademark "The Blue Flag" is owned by FEE, a non-profit organisation with 65 organisations and 77 member countries.

The FEE's Blue Flag criteria include requirements for quality, safety, environmental education and information, service delivery standards, and general environmental management standards. As a symbol of their high environmental and quality standards, beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators all want to receive the Blue Flag.

Beaches and marinas from FEE member countries get certificates, sometimes known as awards, every year. The winners are announced every year on June 5 for nations in Europe, Canada, Morocco, Tunisia, and other adjacent areas, and on November 1 for the Caribbean, New Zealand, South Africa, and other countries in the southern hemisphere.

The European Union's regulations for water quality are governed by the EC Water Framework Directive. As of 2016, Spain had more blue flag beaches than any other country since the awards' debut in 1987.

History

The Blue Flag was founded in France in 1985 as a test initiative for the Office of the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe. Coastal French villages that met requirements for sewage treatment and bathing water quality were awarded the Blue Flag. 11 French villages were given the honour in 1985.

Examples:

List of Blue Flag Beaches in India with Location-

• Eden Beach, Puducherry

• Ghoghla Beach, Diu

• Golden Beach, Odisha

• Kappad Beach, Kerala

• Kasarkod Beach, Karnataka

• Kovalam Beach, Tamil Nadu

• Padubidri Beach, Karnataka

• Radhanagar Beach, Andaman and Nicobar

• Rushikonda Beach, Andhra Pradesh

• Shivrajpur Beach, Gujarat

• Minicoy Thundi Beach, Lakshadweep

• Kadmat Beach, Lakshadweep

Blue Flag Beach Criteria

Environmental education and information

• The ecosystems of coastal zones and naturally vulnerable areas must be displayed.

• Information about bathing water quality must be displayed.

• Details on the Blue Flag Programme must be displayed.

• The code of behaviour for the beach area must be published, and the general public must have easy access to the regulations governing beach usage upon request.

• A minimum of five environmental education activities must be accessible.

Water quality

• Compliance with the standards and requirements for high-quality bathing water

• The beach area may not be impacted by sewage or industrial wastes.

• Keeping an eye on how the coral reefs along the shore are doing

• Community's compliance with effluent quality and sewage treatment requirements

• Algae or other plants should be left to degrade on the beach until they become a nuisance.

Environmental management

• A beach management committee must be established in order to execute environmental management strategies and conduct routine environmental audits of the beach facility.

• The beach is required to abide by all laws and regulations regarding its location and use (coastal zone planning and environmental legislation)

• The beach should be kept clean.

• There must be adequate trash cans/receptacles on/near the beach, and they must be regularly emptied and cleaned.

• There must be bins for collecting recyclable trash on or near the beach.

• Controlled sewage disposal and appropriate, well-maintained sanitary facilities

• No illegal dumping, driving, or camping is permitted on the beach.

• Strict observance of laws prohibiting dogs and other domestic animals from being present on beaches is required.

Safety and services

• There must be enough lifesaving equipment and/or lifeguards on duty at the beach.

• First aid items must be accessible on the beach.

• The numerous visitors and usage of the beach must be controlled to prevent conflicts and mishaps.

• To deal with environmental safety risks, an emergency plan must be in place.

• It must be safe to travel to the beach.

• It is vital to patrol the region along the coast.

• Water for drinking must be available on the beach.

• Every town is required to have at least one Blue Flag beach with handicapped-accessible entrances and facilities.

• A beach map with the different facilities highlighted on it must be visible.

Blue Flag marina criteria

Blue Flag sustainable boating tourism operator criteria:

Environmental education and information

• Information about relevant local environmental events, nearby habitats, and ecologically sensitive areas

• Details about the Blue Flag initiative

• Code of behaviour for passengers outlining correct garbage disposal, a no-smoking rule on board, safety measures, and proper conduct around wild animals

• At least one environmental education event must be held throughout the operational season.

• Environmental education for every employee

• The provision of an expert guide for guided tours

Environmental management

• Establishing a management committee in charge of carrying out regular environmental audits and adopting environmental management systems is advocated.

• Every travel agency must have an environmental plan and policy.

• All guidelines for the placement and operation of the boats must be followed.

• Keeping hazardous wastes in the proper, clearly labelled, and separately stored containers

• Using enough rubbish cans, including recycling cans

• Proper disposal of all trash generated by tourists and the tour operator

• Using recyclables, biodegradables, and eco-friendly cleaning and hygiene products

• Smoking ought to be prohibited on boats.

• The proper handling of bilge water

• Creating sufficient sanitary facilities and correctly disposing of sewage

• Only locations designated for such purposes may be used to repair and paint the boats.

• Promotion of ecologically sustainable boating and boating-related transportation

• Information on events that might have an effect on the environment

• To maximise energy efficiency and minimise emissions, the boats' speed and engine maintenance must be planned.

• Environmentally friendly anchoring

• The correct disposal of equipment that has completed its mission.

Safety and services

• Supply of adequate, clearly marked and approved by the appropriate national authorities first aid, firefighting, and lifesaving equipment

• Crew members receive regular emergency training, and emergency plans are supplied for many different potential sorts of accidents.

• There must be instructions and safety measures on the boat.

• People with disabilities should have access to facilities.

• Appropriate signage directing you to the locations of the different boat facilities

Social responsibility

• The tour provider will not put up with discrimination on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, handicap, national origin, or religion.

• giving just remuneration in line with the varied income levels in the nation

• Respect for the nation's legal working age is required

• The tour operator should support the local economy by choosing to buy and use local items.

Responsible tourism

• Protected areas and areas that are vulnerable must be respected.

• Any wildlife must be approached cautiously and with enough time for the animal(s) to survey the surroundings. They cannot be followed, encircled, or imprisoned.

• More caution must be used around animals that are in the reproductive period. Never separate young animals from their pack.

• When driving close to any animals, noise levels must be maintained to a minimum, and the engine should always be neutral.

• No handling or gathering of any plants or animals is permitted.

• Visitors and employees are not permitted to feed the animals.

• In the event that there are any signs of agitation, the boat must maintain a larger distance from the animals.

• The tour operator must be open to collaborating with educational institutions. Information obtained on animal interactions should be made available to academics, and the company's ship may be used as a platform for research.

• It is required to notify the proper authorities of any wounded, stranded, hurt, or deceased animals.

Additional criteria for specific wildlife-based activities

To be eligible for the Blue Flag, a tour operator must meet the requirements outlined above. Tour companies must also adhere to extra requirements specific to the activity when offering cage diving, recreational fishing, diving, whale watching, bird watching, or seal watching. These standards are particular to the various visitor experiences and take into account any associated environmental problems. Examples of these include the appropriate use of equipment, the approach distances to various animal species, and the ethical treatment of animals taken during recreational fishing excursions.

Conclusion

The highest honour in the beach business is frequently referred to as the Blue Flag beach certification. The Blue Flag, which is recognised internationally, is presented by the Foundation for Environmental Education. Although most people are aware that the Blue Flag accreditation guarantees the purity of swimming water, this is simply one of the requirements.