Protest Against Blue Flag Beaches

Q Why is it in News?

Recently Odisha government’s plan to get Blue Flag Certification for five beaches was opposed by the fishermen.

• Odisha planned to develop five more beaches in three districts to meet international standards after receiving the certification for Puri’s Golden Beach in 2020.

Q What are demands of Fishermen? 

• Fishermen’s Demands:
  • The proposed land for the certification is used by the fishermen to anchor their boats.
    • They want a permanent sea mouth to anchor the fishing boats.
  • Protection of livelihood should be ensured and protected.
  • Reopening of a new fishing jetty.

Q What is Blue Flag Certification?

• Blue Flag Certification:
   
  • Blue Flag beaches are considered the cleanest beaches of the world.
  • The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators.
  • The Blue Flag Programme for beaches and marines  is run by the international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation FEE (the Foundation for Environmental Education). FEE (the Foundation for Environmental Education) was established in France in 1985.

Q What are Criteria for Certification?  

• Criteria for Certification:
  • In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.
  • There are around 33 criteria that are to be met to qualify for a Blue Flag certification,
    • Such as the water meeting certain quality standards, having waste disposal facilities, being disabled- friendly, having first aid equipment, and no access to pets in the main areas of the beach.
  • Some criteria are voluntary and some compulsory.

Q How many beaches in India have blue flag certification? 

• There are eight beaches in India which have received Blue Flag Certification:
  • Shivrajpur in Gujarat,
  • Ghoghla in Daman & Diu,
  • Kasarkod in Karnataka and,
  • Padubidri beach in Karnataka,
  • Kappad in Kerala,
  • Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh,
  • Golden beach of Odisha,
  • Radhanagar beach in Andaman and Nicobar.