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Three of Maharashtra beaches may soon fly blue flags

The certification is granted to coastal sites confirming to stringent environmental, management and water quality standards.

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Tourists bathing in clear, unpolluted waters on a beach with clean sands. This is picture postcard scene from foreign shores may soon become a reality in Maharashtra with three beaches — Arawale, Chiwla and Bhogwe, being nominated for the coveted 'blue flag' status.

The certification is granted to coastal sites confirming to stringent environmental, management and water quality standards.

Once these beaches in Sindhudurg fly the blue flag, they will get increased tourists footfalls due to their water quality and beach amenities like water sports, life guards, first-aid and safety measures. So far, Asia has no blue flag beaches. The union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has asked coastal states to develop such model sites.

While the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) is working on the Arawale (Sagartirth) and Chiwla sites, the district administration is handling the Bhogwe project. The certification is based on stringent environment, water quality, safety, access and management standards.

The Copenhagen headquartered Foundation for Environment Education (FEE), has set four key areas and 33 criteria for accreditation. Launched in France in 1985, the Blue Flag program is being implemented in Europe since 1987 and in areas outside Europe since 2001, when South Africa joined.

Vikram Kumar, chief executive officer (CEO), MMB, confirmed the proposal.

"We have filed for pilots at Arawale (Sagartirth) and Chiwla. These can be commissioned this year, first at Sagartirth and then Chiwla," sources said, adding it would take one to three years to reach blue flag standards after creating the necessary infrastructure.

The MMB has conducted a "gap analysis" and submitted the report to the FEE and Asian Development Bank (ADB) for funding.

Each pilot is expected to cost around Rs 5 lakh, with the upgrade to full blue flag status costing Rs 25 lakh. "This not a capital intensive project involving a huge quantum of civil works. It will focus on soft solutions," he explained.

"We have applied for a pilot (at Bhogwe)... A Rs 8.5 crore tender for basic facilities like toilets, changing rooms, restaurants, beach cleaning equipment, solid waste management, parking, appointment of life guards, and water sports facilities like jet skis has been finalised," said Kamlakar Randive, deputy chief executive officer of the Sindhudurg Zilla Parsdhad.

The works will take around a year to complete and an application for full status will be made by June 2019.

Randive added the project would be funded by the World Bank and MOEF.

WHAT IS BLUE FLAG

Criteria: Environmental Education and Information: Information display about the Blue Flag Programme, bathing water quality

Water quality: Water quality and microbiological standards, no industrial, waste or sewage discharges Environmental management: Establishment of beach management committee, toilet and restrooms Safety and Services: First-aid equipment, emergency plans to tackle pollution risks

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