Context:
The Tamil Nadu government has chosen to pinpoint beaches along the State’s coastline as potential candidates for achieving Blue Flag Certification.
About Blue Flag certification:
- Awarded by – Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Denmark
- Aim – To promote sustainability in the tourism sector, through environmental education, environmental protection and other sustainable development practices.
- Awarded to – Beaches, Marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators.
- International jury –
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)
- Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- 33 Qualifying Criteria under major 4 categories –
- Environmental Education and Information
- Water Quality
- Environmental Management
- Safety and Services
- India has 12 Blue Flag Beaches which have received the Blue Flag certification:
- Minicoy Thundi Beach and Kadmat Beach (both in Lakshadweep)Shivrajpur (Gujarat)Ghoghla (Daman & Diu)Kasarkod (Karnataka)Padubidri beach (Karnataka)Kappad (Kerala)Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh)Golden beach (Odisha)Radhanagar beach (Andaman and Nicobar)Kovalam (Tamil Nadu)
- Eden (Puducherry)
About Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services (BEAMS):
- Indian Initiative under ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management) project.
- Launched by –
- Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM)
- Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
- Objectives –
- Abate pollution in coastal waters
- Promote sustainable development of beach facilities
- Protect & conserve coastal ecosystems & natural resources
- Strive and maintain high standards of cleanliness
- Hygiene & safety for beachgoers in accordance with coastal environment & regulations
Source: DT
Previous Year Question
‘Invasive Species Specialist Group’ (that develops Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to which one of the following organizations?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) The International Union for Conservation of Nature
(b) The United Nations Environment Programme
(c) The United Nations World Commission for Environment and Development
(d) The World Wide Fund for Nature
Answer: (a)
