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New Delhi : On the eve of International Coastal Clean-Up Day, which is celebrated across 100 countries since 1986, Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Ministry announced at a virtual event that for the first time eight beaches of India have been recommended for the coveted International eco-label, the Blue flag certification.
The recommendations are made by an independent National Jury comprising eminent environmentalists and scientists. Blue Flag beaches are considered the cleanest beaches of the world. The eight beaches are Shivrajpur in Gujarat, Ghoghla in Daman&Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri beach in Karnataka, Kappad in Kerala, Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh, Golden beach of Odisha, and Radhanagar beach in Andaman and Nicobar.
Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, who couldn’t attend the event due to the ongoing parliament session, said through a video message that the government is committed to clean the beaches across the country. He said clean beaches are the testimony to environment in the coastal area. He said the issue of marine litter and oil spilling has caused disturbances to the aquatic life and the Government of India is undertaking various efforts for the sustainable development of coastal regions, according to a PIB release.
The event also saw the launch of India’s own eco-label BEAMS by e-hoisting the flag -#IAMSAVINGMYBEACH simultaneously at these eight beaches.
The flag hoisting program was conducted simultaneously at these 8 beaches virtually from MOEFCC and physically at the beaches by respective States/UTs through its MLAs and/or Chairman of Beach Management Committees (BMCs).
Speaking on the occasion, Union Environment Secretary R P Gupta said that high standards are being maintained to clean the beaches to keep environment safe and in the next four to five years 100 more beaches will be cleaned.
In a video message, World Bank’s country director Zunaid Khan applauded India’s efforts towards cleaning up its beaches and said that India with its strategies for sustainable coastal zone management shall act as a lighthouse for other countries in the region.
With a view to protect and conserve the coastal and marine ecosystems and environment through a holistic coastal management, the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change had launched the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) activities in India.
The concept of ICZM was introduced in 1992 during the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro and most of the coastal countries in the World have been adopting ICZM principles for managing their coastal zones. Thus, adoption of ICZM principles for managing and sustainably developing our coastal regions is helping India in keeping with its commitments to international agreements on ICZM.