PANJIM: Notwithstanding the opposition from the greens in Goa, the Union Environment Ministry has selected Miramar beach in Panjim, among 12 beaches in India, to vie for a ‘Blue Flag’ certification.
Blue Flag is an international recognition conferred on beaches that meet certain criteria of cleanliness and environmental propriety.
The MoEF notification dated July 12, 2019 states, “In order to conserve, protect and improve the quality of environment and promoting, controlling and abating environmental pollution has decided to identify beaches for the purpose of Blue Flag Certification.”
It adds, “To achieve the internationally recognised higher standard for the purpose of beach management, planning and execution of projects for infrastructure development, cleanliness, safety and security services, these beaches have been identified for Blue Flag certification in different States and union territories.”
The notification further states that the Central government declares that for the purpose of obtaining Blue Flag certification various structures and facilities, shall be permitted in the Coastal Regulations Zone (CRZ) area subject to maintaining a minimum distance of 10 metres from the high tide line (HTL).
Goenchea Ramponnkarancho Ekvott (GRE) had slammed Tourism Department and the local MLA for remaining mum on nominating Miramar beach for blue flag certification.
“Miramar beach is a special case, a unique beach, thus far left intact as a valuable public asset. We vehemently oppose any certification to the beach, and we do not believe that facilities like landscaping, water sports, marina, mechanical cleaning, children’s park are required at Miramar,” GRE vice-president Menino
D’Souza told Herald.
GRE demanded that the government drop the proposal of the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to declare Miramar beach for ‘Blue Flag’ Certification, as this certification will bring marinas, casinos, water sports and other infrastructure, which will deprive traditional fishermen the right to livelihood and a recreational place for the people. They proposed that this certification be shifted at Khariwado beach at Vasco.
The Blue Flag Programme for beaches and marinas is run by international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation FEE (the Foundation for Environmental Education). It started in France in 1985 and has been implemented in Europe since 1987, and in areas outside Europe since 2001, when South Africa joined.
Japan and South Korea are the only countries in South and southeastern Asia to have Blue Flag beaches. Spain tops the list with 566 such beaches; Greece and France follow with 515 and 395, respectively.
There are nearly 33 criteria that must be met to qualify for a Blue Flag certification, such as the water meeting certain quality standards, having waste disposal facilities, being disabled-friendly, have first aid equipment, and no access to pets in the main areas of the beach. Some criteria are voluntary and some compulsory.
If approved, beaches are given the qualification for a year and must apply annually to continue meriting the right to fly the flag at their locations.
To help Indian beaches meet these criteria, the Ministry has allowed structures such container toilet blocks, change rooms, shower panels, mini grey water treatment plants in an enclosed structure, mini solid waste recycling plants and off-grid solar photovoltaic panels, provided they are a minimum 10 metres from the high tide line.
The Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM), which is a part of the MoEF, floated a tender worth Rs 9 cr recently under the Blue Flag Beach project for Infrastructure Facilities, Pollution Abatement, & Safety/Surveillance Services at Miramar Beach.
Interestingly, the Government of India has taken a loan from the World Bank for this and other such projects on beaches across India.
