BLUE
FLAG CERTIFICATION - ENVIRONMENT
News:
This Indian beach gets
the Blue Flag certification
What's
in the news?
●
Kappad Beach has long been celebrated for
its natural beauty and historical significance. Recently, this pristine stretch
of coastline achieved another milestone by being awarded the prestigious Blue
Flag certification, cementing its status as one of India's premier beach
destinations.
Key
takeaways:
●
Vasco
da Gama’s first step in India happened in Kappad Beach in
1498.
●
This momentous event marked the beginning
of European trade and colonisation in India, making Kappad Beach a symbol of
cultural exchange and maritime exploration.
Blue
Flag Certification:
●
The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s
most recognised voluntary awards for
beaches, marinas, and sustainable tourism boats meetings the environmental
standards.
●
Blue Flag Certification began in 1985 in France.
●
This certification is awarded each year.
Awarded
by:
●
The "Foundation
for Environment Education in Denmark" awards the Blue Flag
certification, a well-recognized eco-label, based on 33 stringent parameters.
Criteria:
●
Environmental Education and Awareness
●
Quality of Bathing Water
●
Environmental Management
●
Conservation and Safety Services on the
Beaches
Selection
Process:
●
Along with FEE, members of the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations World Tourism Organization
(UNWTO), and International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) served
on the international jury that issued the certification.
Benefits:
●
Clean beaches are a sign of a healthy coastal environment.
●
India's conservation and sustainable
development efforts have received international recognition with the Blue Flag
certification.
Blue
Flag Beaches:
●
Blue Flag beaches are thought to be the
cleanest in the world.
●
It is an eco-tourism strategy that aims to
provide clean and sanitary bathing water, facilities, a safe and healthy
environment, and long-term development of the area for tourists and beachgoers.
Blue
Flag Sites:
●
Data from the Blue Flag website shows that
48 countries have issued
certificates to 5042 sites in total.
●
Spain
is at the top of the list of nations with Blue Flag-awarded sites with 729 sites.