“Kappad and Chaal Beaches Receive Global Blue Flag Certification”

Why in the NEWS?

• Kerala’s famed Kappad beach in Kozhikode and Chal beach in Kannur have been bestowed with the coveted Blue Flag certification by Denmark-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) for meeting stringent environmental and safety standards.

Key Points: 

• The scenic Kappad and Chal beaches have emerged as models of Responsible Tourism (RT) by implementing eco-friendly initiatives, besides ensuring a hygienic and safe milieu for visitors on par with global standard. 
• Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) gives the award to beaches, marinas, and boating operators which meet 33 criteria that also include sustainable and safety practices.

Blue Flag Status: A Comprehensive View

• The program was started in France in 1985 and was expanded to other European countries in 1987. In countries outside Europe, the program was started in 2001.
• The Blue Flag is an international environmental certification awarded to beaches, marinas, and yacht docks for their environmental, hygiene, safety, and sustainable management standards. 
• The certification is awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), an international organization based in Denmark. 
• The purpose of the Blue Flag is to promote environmental protection and awareness, and provide an international guideline for ensuring high standards on beaches.

Blue Flag Standards:

• Beaches and marinas must meet a total of 33 standards to receive the Blue Flag.
• These standards are divided into four major categories:

Environmental Education and Information:

• Education and Awareness: 
  • Environmental education activities such as providing information about pollution, climate change, and biodiversity conservation are mandatory at the beach.
• Information Boards: 
  • Clear information boards are installed at the beach to inform visitors on environmental issues.

Hygiene and Water Quality:

• Water Quality: 
  • The beach water must be clean and safe. 
  • Regular water quality checks are conducted on beaches, and if any pollution is found in the water, the beach may be stripped of its Blue Flag certification.
• Cleanliness: 
  • The beach environment should be clean, including waste management, cleanliness of toilets and other basic facilities.

Safety:

• Lifeguard services: 
  • Lifeguard services are required to be available at the beach at all times to ensure the safety of tourists.
• Safety equipment: 
  • Availability of adequate safety equipment such as lifeboats and life jackets is a must for swimming.
• Emergency planning: 
  • Beaches should have emergency rescue plans and first aid services.

Environmental management:

• Conservation of natural resources: 
  • Sustainable management policies are implemented to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems on beaches.
• Waste management: 
  • Management of waste on the beach, such as recycling and reuse of plastics, is important from an environmental point of view.
• Energy and water management: 
  • Beaches should use water and energy resources efficiently to reduce environmental impact.

Process of Blue Flag Certification:

• To get Blue Flag certification, beaches have to go through a rigorous process. The process is divided into the following steps:
• Application and Inspection: 
  • After filing the application, the beach is inspected based on the standards set by FEE. 
  • If the inspection finds the beach complying with all the standards, it receives Blue Flag certification.
• Regular Inspection and Monitoring: 
  • Once certified, the beach has to undergo frequent inspections and monitoring to ensure that the beach continues to comply with all the standards every year.
• Renewal of Blue Flag: 
  • Blue Flag status is awarded for renewal every year, for which inspection and evaluation is done again.

Global Importance of Blue Flag:

• Blue Flag status is not just a certification but also a symbol of environmental and social responsibility of beaches. It:
• Promotes Tourism: 
  • Blue Flag certified beaches get international recognition, which attracts tourists. 
  • It promotes sustainable tourism, which is also beneficial from an environmental point of view.
• Promotes sustainable development: 
  • This certification motivates beaches to work towards environmental sustainability. 
  • Blue Flag certified beaches are committed to environmental structures, climate change, and pollution control.
• Helps in administrative improvement of beaches: 
  • This certification ensures transparency and accountability in the management of beaches. 
  • This improves the maintenance and conservation of beaches.

Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)

• The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), established in 1981 in Denmark, promotes sustainable development globally. 
• It administers the Blue Flag program, certifying beaches and marinas that meet environmental, safety, and sustainability standards. 
• FEE also runs Eco-Schools and Young Reporters for the Environment programs. 
• It operates in over 40 countries, including India, where several beaches have received Blue Flag certification.

Blue Flag Certified Beaches in India

• In October 2020, eight beaches in India were awarded Blue Flag certification for the first time.
• These beaches include Shivrajpur (Gujarat), Ghoghla (Diu), Kasargod (Karnataka), Padubidri (Karnataka), Kappad (Kerala), Golden (Odisha), Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh) and Radhanagar (Andaman & Nicobar).
• After this, two other beaches - Eden (Puducherry) and Kovalam (Tamil Nadu) were given Blue Flag certification in September 2021.
• Minicoy Thundi and Kadamat beaches were given Blue Flag certification in November 2022.
• Recently two new beaches, Kappad Beach in Kozhikode, Kerala and Chal Beach in Kannur have been given Blue Flag certification.
• After which the total number of beaches receiving Blue Flag certification in the country has increased to 14.