Blue Flag Certification

The Blue Flag certification is a globally recognised eco-label accorded to environmental- friendly, clean beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators.
It is awarded on the basis of 33 stringent criteria classified in four major heads which are environmental education and information, bathing water quality, environmental management, and conservation and safety and services in the beaches.
The certification is awarded by the Denmark-based non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education or FEE.
It is awarded annually to beaches and marinas in FEE member countries.
The Blue Flag label is accorded by the international jury composed of eminent members from United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP), United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Denmark-based NGO Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The Blue Flag beaches are considered the cleanest beaches in the world.
Around fifty countries currently participate in the program, and over 4,000 beaches, marinas, and boats have this certification.
A waving Blue Flag is an indication of 100 per cent compliance to the 33 stringent criteria and sound health of the beach.

Two more beaches in India have been awarded ‘Blue Flag’ certification, an international eco-level tag, taking the total number of such beaches in the country to 10.
The two beaches to receive the certification this year are Kovalam in Tamil Nadu and Eden in Puducherry.
Foundation for Environment Education in Denmark (FEE) which accords the globally recognized eco-label – Blue Flag certification, has also given re-certification for eight nominated beaches which were awarded the Blue Flag certificate last year.
- The re-certified beaches are Shivrajpur- Gujarat, Ghoghla-Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri-Karnataka, Kappad-Kerala, Rushikonda- Andhra Pradesh, Golden-Odisha and Radhanagar- Andaman and Nicobar.
These eight beaches got the Blue Flag certification in October last year.
Indian beaches are being developed by the Society for Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) according to the Blue Flag certification standards.

SICOM has been established under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate change with a vision for a vibrant, healthy and resilient Coastal and Marine Environment.
SICOM has conceived an integrated coastal management scheme named BEAMS (Beach Management Services) to reduce existing pollutants on beaches and to aspire & achieve such high International Standards in India.

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