The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has included the Palolem beach in Canacona taluka in a list of 10 beaches for clean-up and development as a Blue Flag beach in a pilot project. The development will be taken up later this year to meet the ‘Blue Flag’ standards certification granted by an international non-governmental organisation. The cost of clean-up and development to meet the standards would be borne by the ministry under the integrated coastal zone management plan (ICZMP). The Goa government had considered nominating the Velsao-Pale and Mandrem beaches for the purpose but dropped the idea due to opposition from the locals. The state department of science, technology and environment has been working on a proposal of nominating the Miramar beach for Blue Flag certification but there also appears to be opposition from the locals to the proposal. The local populations opposing the proposal argue that there was no need of certification for Goan beaches. They want the government to maintain Goan beaches with the basic facilities.
A Blue Flag on a beach indicates that it is a clean and accessible beach, and has good water quality and meets high safety standards. It also indicates that the authorities work to protect local shorelines and ecosystems. Obtaining a Blue Flag certificate is not an easy task as the local community and beach operators have to meet 29 criteria covering water and coastal quality, environmental information and education, safety and services, as well as cleanliness and waste management. The state government has formed a beach management committee comprising eight members from the offices of the district collector, municipalities and a citizen from the village/town to oversee the project including the tender and certification process. This committee will also be responsible to protect the interest of locals. The task for identifying the beach has been given to the department of science, technology and environment, which apparently is finding it difficult to identify the beaches in view of the opposition from the locals. The opposition could only delay the process of identification of the beaches under the programme. A tripartite agreement has to be signed between the Society of Integrated Coastal Management established by the ministry, the state and the contractor selected for the purpose of implementation of the project.
A Blue Flag beach certification is prestigious as it indicates that the beach area is safe for public use. The certificate also indicates that the beach is not affected by waste water or sewage-related discharges and that its water meets specified limits as regards physical, chemical and microbial contamination. Among the other requirements for Blue Flag credential are that algae vegetation or natural debris should not be left on the beach; waste disposal bins must be available along the beach in adequate numbers and toilets along the beach should have controlled sewage disposal. The certification also ensures that the bathing water is continuously monitored for the three different types of bacteria – faecal coliform, total coliform and faecal streptococci. The certification also mandates that water quality details are displayed on a beach information board. Beaches to be eligible for a Blue Flag certificate have to comply with national regulations regarding access and facilities for disabled persons. The beaches should also have different zones for swimmers, surfers, windsurfers and motorised craft to prevent conflicts and accidents. There will be prohibition on movement of dogs and pets on the sandy areas of the beaches, except in the cases of guide dogs for blind people.
Traditionally Goans have been environment-friendly. In a number of places, their fight for environmental protection has yielded results. Blue Flag certification too is an environmental award given to communities that make special efforts to manage their coastal or inland water environment and beaches with respect for the local environment and nature. So far no beach in India has been given a Blue Flag certification. Obtaining one such internationally acclaimed certificate for Palolem could help the state increase tourist arrivals, especially in view of the fact that a rising number of international travellers seek to visit destinations with Blue Flag certifications. As Goa has many firsts to its credit, Goans should be in the forefront to get the highest level certification for not only the Palolem beach but also other beaches. Locals should rethink their opposition in a rational manner. Rather than opposing nomination of beaches they should come forward to identify the beaches and actively participate in the standardisation programme. The state authorities, however, need to take care to protect the interests of the locals and explain the benefits and allay their fears over the limitations they could face on the use of beaches.