BLUE FLAG CHALLENGE
Posted on : 02 Dec 2019
Views: 725- It is international recognition conferred on beaches and marinas that meet certain criteria of cleanliness and environmental propriety and equipped with amenities of international standards for tourists.
- It was first started in France in 1985 and has been implemented in Europe since 1987.
- It is run by international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
- Since 2001 it has been implemented in areas outside Europe when South Africa joined.
- Criteria: There are almost 33 criteria that must be met by beaches and marinas to qualify for Blue Flag certification. It includes:
- Information about the Blue Flag Programme and other FEE eco-label must be displayed.
- Environmental education activities must be offered and promoted to beach users.
- Information about bathing water quality must be displayed.
- Information relating to local eco-systems, environmental elements and cultural sites must be displayed.
- A map of the beach indicating different facilities must be displayed.
- The beach must fully comply with the water quality sampling and frequency requirements.
- The beach must fully comply with the standards and requirements for water quality analysis.
- Industrial, waste-water or sewage-related discharges must not affect the beach Area
- The beach must comply with the Blue Flag requirements for physical parameters.
- At least one Blue Flag beach in each municipality must have access and facilities provided for the physically disabled
- Validation: If approved, beaches are given blue flag tag for a year and they must apply annually to continue meriting right to fly this flag at their locations.
- Top countries: Spain (total blue flags: 684), France (492) and Turkey (458). Japan and South Korea are only countries from South/southeastern Asia to have Blue Flag beaches.
- Chandrabhaga beach on Konark coast in Odisha was first in Asia to get Blue Flag certification (awarded in June 2019).
Article Related Questions
-
Twelve Indian beaches are in the race for the ‘Blue Flag’ challenge; consider the following statements regarding the challenge
1.It was first started in France in 1985
2.It is run by international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
3.Chandrabhaga beach on Konark coast in Odisha was first in Asia to get Blue Flag certification.
Which of the above statement is/are correct?
1.1 and 2 only
2.2 and 3 only
3.1 and 3 only
4.1, 2 and 3
Right Ans : 1, 2 and 3
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Feb 08,2021 5:22 pm