Two extra seashores in India have been awarded ”Blue Flag” certification, a global eco-level tag, taking the full variety of such seashores within the nation to 10, the Atmosphere Ministry stated on Tuesday.
The 2 seashores to obtain the certification this 12 months are Kovalam in Tamil Nadu and Eden in Puducherry, it stated.
The Basis for Atmosphere Schooling (FEE), Denmark, which accords the Blue Flag certification, has additionally given re-certification for eight nominated seashores – Shivrajpur-Gujarat, Ghoghla-Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri-Karnataka, Kappad-Kerala, Rushikonda- Andhra Pradesh, Golden-Odisha and Radhanagar- Andaman and Nicobar, which had been awarded the Blue Flag certificates final 12 months, the ministry stated.
These eight seashores acquired the Blue Flag certification on October 6, 2020.
Union Atmosphere Minister Bhupender Yadav expressed happiness over the event and stated it’s one other milestone in India’s journey in direction of a clear and inexperienced India led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
”Completely happy to announce India now has 10 Worldwide Blue Flag seashores with the addition of Kovalam & Eden seashores this 12 months and recertification for 8 seashores which acquired the tag in 2020. One other milestone in our journey in direction of a clear and inexperienced India led by PM Shri @NarendraModi Ji,” Yadav tweeted.
Blue Flag certification is a globally recognised eco-label accorded on the idea of 33 stringent standards in 4 main heads that are environmental training and knowledge, bathing water high quality, atmosphere administration and conservation and security and companies within the seashores.
The Blue Flag seaside is an eco-tourism mannequin endeavouring to supply the vacationers/seaside goers clear and hygienic bathing water, services, secure and wholesome atmosphere and sustainable improvement of the world.
The suggestions are executed by an unbiased nationwide jury composed of eminent environmentalists and scientists.
Blue Flag seashores are thought-about the cleanest seashores of the world, in response to the ministry.
The Blue Flag label is accorded by the worldwide jury composed of eminent members – United Nations Atmosphere Programme(UNEP), United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Denmark-based NGO Basis for Environmental Schooling (FEE) and Worldwide Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
A waving Blue Flag is a sign of 100 per cent compliance to the 33 stringent standards and sound well being of the seaside, the ministry had earlier stated.
India had began its journey of sustainable improvement of coastal areas on World Atmosphere Day in June 2018 by launching its seaside cleansing marketing campaign – I-AM- SAVING-MY-BEACH concurrently at 13 coastal states and thereafter implementing the ministry’s coveted programme Seashore Atmosphere and Aesthetics Administration Companies (BEAMS).
”The Ministry of Atmosphere, in its pursuit of sustainable improvement of the coastal areas of India, embarked upon a extremely acclaimed and flagship programme BEAMS, which is among the initiatives below its built-in coastal zone administration (ICZM) method that the ministry has undertaken for the sustainable improvement of coastal areas of India, with a main goal to guard and preserve the pristine coastal and marine ecosystems by means of holistic administration of the sources,” the ministry stated in an announcement issued right here on Tuesday.
The target of BEAMS programme is to abate air pollution in coastal waters, promote sustainable improvement of seaside services, shield and preserve coastal ecosystems and pure sources, and significantly problem native authorities and stakeholders to try and preserve excessive requirements of cleanliness, hygiene and security for beachgoers in accordance with coastal atmosphere and rules.
”Within the final three years or so, our ministry has achieved commendable leads to environmental administration of those 10 seashores which embody sand dune restoration and nourishment of 95,000 sqm (approx.) with native plantation; discount in marine litter by 85 per cent and marine plastic by 78 per cent within the final three years; scientific and accountable disposal of 750 tonnes of marine litter; enchancment in cleanliness stage from ‘C’ (poor) to ‘A++(excellent)’ by means of scientific measurement system,” the assertion stated.
The Atmosphere Ministry stated it has additionally saved 1,100 ml/12 months of municipal water by means of recycling; educated round 1,25,000 seaside goers about accountable behaviour on the seashores; offered alternate livelihood alternatives to 500 fishermen households by means of air pollution abatement, security and companies and has additionally elevated footfall for recreation actions on the seashores by roughly 80 per cent resulting in financial improvement.
The ministry stated it’s dedicated to develop and ship 100 extra seashores below its ICZM initiative within the ensuing 5 years.
In December final 12 months, the ministry had nearly hoisted the worldwide Blue Flags in eight seashores throughout the nation. The flags had been additionally concurrently hoisted on these seashores bodily by state ministers and senior officers of the respective state and Union territories.
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