Vizag’s Rushikonda beach selected under BEAMS

Vizag’s Rushikonda beach has been selected under BEAMS to revamp it and propel the beach into the list city’s major tourist destinations. Vizag district collector Pravin Kumar reviewed the process at the Collectors Bungalow on Friday.

As per the press note released, “a “Clean” beach is the primary indicator of coastal environmental quality & management. However, coastal regions in India are highly susceptible to litter accumulation. The presence of such debris not only affects the aesthetic appeal of beaches negatively but also reduces their recreational (tourism) value drastically.

In order to plan sustainable tourism and healthy coastal management, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India have conceived an integrated coastal management scheme viz. BEAMS (also referred to as Beach Management Services) to reduce existing pollutants on beaches and to aspire &achieve such high international standards in India.

The main objective of setting up BEAMS programme is to promote sustainable development in coastal regions of India for the beach management authorities to strive to achieve high standards in four categories of:

• Environmental Management including cleanliness, solid waste management in beaches,
• Environmental Education
• Safety & Security of Beachgoers.
• Bathing Water Quality Standards,

It primarily focuses on “Beach Rejuvenation Plan” that also means the development of beach facilities, reduction and regulations of beach littering and undertaking day to day cleaning operations in beaches.

It is also to ensure & control various types of pollutions in beaches by effective solid waste management, utilization and bring significant awareness on environment protection & sensitize beachgoers of ecosystems and biodiversity.

Entire work shall be carried out in consultation with Local Authorities.”