The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) certifies a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator as meeting its standards by awarding it the Blue Flag.
Standards for quality, safety, environmental education and information, service delivery standards, and general environmental management standards are all part of FEE’s Blue Flag requirements. Beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourist providers all want to earn the Blue Flag as a sign of their high environmental and quality standards.
The Foundation for Environmental Education works relentlessly to ensure the program’s spread and that the unmatched standards of the Blue Flag are maintained internationally by closely collaborating with its members on any and all difficulties they may have.
In order to maintain the constancy of the standards that make the Blue Flag award so reliable and useful, appropriate local organisations are chosen to implement and enforce the relevant criteria.
Connecting the people with their surroundings and enticing them to learn more about their environment is at the heart of the Blue Flag program’s goals.
The Office of the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe launched the Blue Flag in France as a trial programme in 1985. Awards from FEE are given to beaches and marinas in its member nations every year. Every year, on June 5 for countries in Europe, Canada, Morocco, Tunisia, and other nearby regions, and on November 1 for the Caribbean, New Zealand, South Africa, and other nations in the southern hemisphere, the prizes are revealed.
Since the awards’ inception in 1987, Spain has consistently had more blue flag beaches than any other nation as of 2016.
Some blue criteria
- It is necessary to provide data on the ecosystems and natural, sensitive areas of the coastal zone.
- Displays must include information on the Blue Flag Program.
- There must be a minimum of 5 environmental education activities available.
- The beach area may not be impacted by sewage or industrial wastes.
- Monitoring the condition of the coral reefs close to the beach.
- The neighbourhood’s adherence to the standards for sewage treatment and effluent quality.
- To implement environmental management methods and carry out routine environmental audits of the beach facility, a beach management committee must be constituted.
- There must be enough waste bins/receptacles on/by the beach, and these must be maintained and removed on a regular basis.
- On or near the beach, facilities for collecting recyclable waste products must be present.
- There will be no unauthorised camping, driving, or dumping on the beach.
- Strict enforcement of rules governing the presence of dogs and other domestic animals on beaches is required.
- The beach’s structures and infrastructure must be kept in good working order.
- The coastal area needs to promote environmentally friendly modes of transportation.
- The beach must have a sufficient number of lifeguards and/or life saving supplies.
- On the beach, first aid supplies must be available.
- There needs to be an emergency strategy in place to address pollution safety hazards.
- The coastal region has to be watched over.
- On the beach, there must be a supply of drinkable water. There needs to be a beach map with the various facilities marked on it.
Be blue to be green
Here are some blue flag beaches in India that you can choose from if you want to soak up the sun, have salty hair, and still be environmentally friendly.In total, India has 12 blue flag beaches as of October 2022.
Minicoy Thundi in Lakshadweep, this beach has just been added to the list of blue flag-certified beaches in India. One of the most picturesque and unspoiled beaches in the archipelago is this, which has white sands and turquoise lagoon waters surrounding it. It is a well-liked tourist destination in addition to being a paradise for swimmers.
The first beach in Pondicherry to receive the coveted blue flag is Eden beach. In the year 2019, it was awarded the blue flag certification. About 9 miles from the Pondicherry bus stop, near Chinna Veerampattinam, is where you’ll find the beach. The beach’s atmosphere creates a little Kerala. The beach is made considerably more delightful by the coconut plantations, umbrella shelters, and other amenities.
Kasarkod beach in Karnataka is the least populated among Indian beaches that have earned a blue flag. Ecotourism is a state pride at the seashore. It was created by the forest and tourist department of Karnataka to promote environmentally friendly travel. The captivating sight of the beach’s white sand should never be missed.
