8 Indian Beaches granted the eco-label 'Blue Flag' Certification

On Sunday, the Union Environment Ministry announced that eight beaches in India have been awarded the coveted ‘Blue Flag’ certification. These beaches are Kappad (Kerala), Shivrajpur (Gujarat), Ghoghla (Diu), Kasarkod and Padubidri (Karnataka), Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh), Golden (Odisha), and Radhanagar (Andaman & Nicobar Islands). 

The Blue Flag certification is a globally recognized eco-label granted by the "Foundation for Environment Education, Denmark" and judged by an international jury consisting of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

It is awarded annually to beaches and marinas in FEE- Foundation for Environmental Education member countries. Over forty-seven countries participate in the program, and currently, over 4,500 beaches, marinas, and boats have this certification.

Any beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator, and serves as an eco-label can get this certification bases on 33 stringent criteria under four major heads: environmental education and information, bathing water quality, environmental management and conservation, and safety and services at the beaches.

Starting in France in 1985, this Blue Flag program promotes sustainable development in freshwater and marine areas through four main criteria: water quality, environmental management, environmental education, and safety.

On 18 September, the government of India recommended these eight beaches for this international eco-label. "India is also the first country in Asia-Pacific region which has achieved this feat in just about 2 years' time," Prakash Javadekar, the Union Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change said.

He added, “It is an outstanding feat considering that no ‘Blue Flag’ nation has ever been awarded for 8 beaches in a single attempt…this is also a global recognition of India’s conservation and sustainable development efforts”.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted that it is 'truly a wonderful feat, "8 of India’s serene beaches get the prestigious Blue Flag Certification. This showcases the importance India attaches to protecting such spots and furthering sustainable development."