Why in News ?
International Coastal Clean-Up Day, Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) announced for the first time eight beaches of India are recommended for the coveted International eco-label, the Blue flag certification.
Blue flag certification
- Blue Flag beaches are considered the cleanest beaches of the world.
- The eight beaches are
- Shivrajpur in Gujarat
- Ghoghla in Daman&Diu
- Kasarkod beach in Karnataka
- Padubidri beach in Karnataka
- Kappad in Kerala
- Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh
- Golden beach of Odisha
- Radhanagar beach in Andaman and Nicobar.
- Also launch India’s own eco-label BEAMS by e-hoisting the flag -#IAMSAVINGMYBEACH at these eight beaches.
- BEAMS (Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services) under its ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management) project.
- This is one of the several other projects of ICZM that Govt of India is undertaking for the sustainable development of coastal regions.
- Aims to tackle
- Pollution in coastal waters.
- Promote sustainable development of beach facilities.
- Protect & conserve coastal ecosystems & natural resources.
- Seriously challenge local authorities & stakeholders to strive and maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene & safety for beach-goers in accordance with coastal environment & regulations.
- This program promotes beach recreation in absolute harmony with nature.
Integrated Coastal Zone Management
- Integration and coordination of various coastal and marine management efforts is the major objective of the integrated coastal zone management.
- Addresses the governance of human activities affecting the sustainable use of goods and services generated by coastal and marine ecosystems.
- Key activities proposed for coastal zone development that consist of
- Mangrove afforestation/shelter beds
- Habitat conservation activities such as restoration of sea-grass meadows, eco-restoration of sacred groves, development of hatcheries, rearing/rescue centres for turtles and other marine animals
- Creation of infrastructure for tourism, restoration and recharge of water bodies, beach cleaning and development, and other small infrastructure facilities.
- 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.
- 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.
International Coastal Clean-Up Day
- Start in 1986 when Linda Maraniss met Kathy O’Hara while working for Ocean Conservancy.
- O’Hara had just completed a report called Plastics in the Ocean: More Than a Litter Problem.
- The two of them reached out to other ocean-lovers and organised a Cleanup for Ocean Conservancy.
- The first Cleanup consisted of 2,800 volunteers.
- Since that time, the Cleanup has grown into an international event in more than 100 countries.
Source : PIB
Topic
GS II : Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Current Affairs Compilation : 19 September 2020