PANJIM: Claiming that Blue-Flag certification would help in attracting high-end tourists and also maintaining the coastal environment, the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has proposed to nominate 26 more beaches from the coastal State for the certification.
However, the State government, in the second phase, has nominated 12 beaches for the certification, even as the work to get Blue Flag certification for the Miramar Beach has been stalled for the last over one year due to growing opposition, especially from the fishing community.
Blue Flag certification from the Foundation for Education, Denmark, is a voluntary certification, where countries have to meet 33 criteria for water quality, safety, waste management, toilet and changing room facilities, free drinking water, etc for chosen beaches.
The focus of the certification is cleanliness and hygiene and protection of ecology of the certified beach stretch. The certification helps in attracting high-end tourists, who are concerned with environmental aspects.
The MoEF&CC proposed beaches are Benaulim, Bogmalo, Kakolem, Butterfly, Betul, Vainguinim, Keri, Siridao, Palolem, Canaguinim, Kerim, Arambol, Ashwem, Rajbag, Velsao, Arossim, Utorda, Vagator, Mandrem, Varca, Mobor, Agonda, Patnem, Betalbatim, Majorda and Baina.
The State Environment Department has nominated 12 beaches — Vagator, Mandrem, Ashvem and Keri in North Goa and Agonda, Palolem, Patnem, Benaulim, Betalbatim, Majorda, Baina and Bogmalo in South.
A senior official said that the Blue Flag programme has become highly respected eco-label working to bring together the tourism and environment sectors in many countries such as Spain, Turkey, Greece and Portugal that have hundreds of certifications.
“Hence, these are the places, where rich tourists visit as they are sure of the environment aspects,” the official said.
As on date, a total of 4,413 Blue Flags are waving in 46 countries.
The official said that the certification is given to only 100-150 metres swimming zone, where coastal water sports is restricted.
The official said that once the beaches in Goa are given Blue Flag certification, it will help ensure continuous surveillance of 33 stringent criteria for beaches under four major categories bathing quality, environment management and pollution abatement, safety and services and information dissemination and environment education.
