India’s beach tourism plan raises a red flag

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Editor's note: It is one of those official initiatives that began with good intentions, but because of how it was executed, ended up having the exact opposite effect.  We are talking about the environment ministry’s ambitious plan to get 100 beaches across India the internationally well regarded ecotourism label, called the Blue Flag certificate, which is accorded by the Copenhagen-based Foundation for Environmental Education. It is being pursued by the ministry-affiliated body, the Society of Integrated Coastal Management, or SICOM, through a special programme. This programme is called the Beach Environment and Aesthetic Management Services, or BEAMS, and it has some of the most agreeable objectives.  According to the SICOM website, BEAMS intends to “abate pollution in coastal waters & beaches, promote sustainable development of beach amenities/ facilities, protect & conserve coastal ecosystems & natural resources and encourage local authorities & stakeholders to strive and maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, safety and security for beachgoers in accordance with coastal environment norms & regulations”.  It sums up the idea quite clearly: “This program promotes beach tourism and recreation in absolute harmony with …