São Paulo – The 856 metres of beach are protected by green hills, one on either side. The beach is urban, with a pavement and buildings in the surrounding areas, the sand is soft, light and the sea is almost always rough. This is the most visible face of the only Brazilian beach with a “Blue Flag”, Tombo, in the city of Guarujá, on the coast of São Paulo. Blue Flag? It is international certification, granted by non-governmental organisation Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), which attests the sustainability of sea beaches world over.
And did Tombo get certified due to the neighbourhood and the green hills and its beautiful landscape? No, the blue face of the beach is a little less evident and is the result of the life guards who are always there, of the selective garbage collection, of the information that is well and clearly provided to tourists and residents, of the quality of the seawater, of the environmental education programme offered, and of dozens of other characteristics and initiatives.
"To get the certification we needed to answer to 32 criteria,” explained the coordinator of the Tombo Beach Information and Environment Education Nucleus, Heloisa Prado Pinto. The criteria are the areas of safety, bathing availability, information and education, as well as the management of the beach. At Tombo, these processes begin in the information provided at the Tourist Assistance Point, at the nucleus. There, on the beach itself, in clear boards along the beach explaining rules for sports activities and domestic animals on the beach, in the access ramp for the motion impaired to get onto the beach.
There is also a large map of the beach and a smaller map showing visitors where they are, where the bathrooms for the handicapped may be found, where there are parking spots for the elderly and people with special needs, a centre for collection of the community’s recyclable litter, four bins for selective collection along the sidewalk, a drinking fountain and the permanent presence of at least one life guard during the day. In high season, there are two professionals. The seawater there is excellent for bathing, reaching the necessary pureness requirements.
But the great differential of the beach, says the national coordinator of the Blue Flag Programme, Leana Bernardi, is the work of the Tombo Beach Information and Environment Education Nucleus and of public power to maintain the certification. It is the nucleus that is in charge of maintaining all these actions in progress and also the environment education programme, which included 2,400 people this year, mostly children. What does it offer? Playful activities for environmental education.
In one of these activities, instructors tell the little ones, through interactive theatre, the story of a boy who visited the beach and its green surroundings, dropping his garbage as he went. The children themselves are then invited to collect the litter, spread during the play, and putting an animal in its place. "Tirando lixo e pondo bicho" (Replacing litter for an animal) is the name of the activity. Normally, the theme and work to be developed are chosen according to the environmental content that the little ones are learning at school or at the organisation that takes them to Tombo beach.
Management of Tombo beach is collective. There is a management group that includes representatives of the civil society who meet every two months to decide on the routes for the beach. On the side of the public power, it is made up of the Fire Department, municipal secretariats, and Environmental Police, among others, and representing society are associations of residents, owners of beach bars and representatives of local trade. The group has only consultant and not deliberative power, but its suggestions are generally followed,” explained Heloisa.
The Blue Flag
Tombo Beach has had Blue Flag certification since late 2010. The certification, however, must be renewed yearly, and Guarujá City Hall called for it and managed last year. This year, Tombo has already been approved for renewal by the national Blue Flag, and only the evaluation of an international commission is awaiting, to take place in September, with the issuing of a certificate by FEE. Certification should be requested by the city hall, which is responsible for the beach, says Leana.
According to Leana, currently Tombo beach is the only Brazilian beach to receive the Flag. However, Prainha, in Barra da Tijuca region, in Rio de Janeiro, has already been approved by the national jury and is awaiting international approval. Another beach, Itaúna, in the city of Saquarema, in Rio de Janeiro, is in the pilot phase and should ask for certification next year. The beaches that want to become certified have two years to make the necessary adaptation, and in the period they are part of a pilot project and count with assistance for modification.
In Brazil, the FEE partner is Ratones Environmental Institute, of which Leana is the technical director. After certification is requested, the institute evaluates the site and sends documentation to a national jury, composed of five organisations, like the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Environment and environmental organisation SOS Mata Atlântica, among others. If approved, the candidacy is sent on to the international commission, which includes organisations like the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Health Organisation.
Creation of the Blue Flag programme was by the FEE and, worldwide, 3,849 beaches and marinas have already been certified. One of the programmes flags is hoisted every day at each beach and marina that has been certified. When the beach is not complying with some criteria, however – like the presence of life guards, for example, – the flag should not be hoisted and the problems should be communicated to the programme, say Heloisa and Leana.
Contact
Information and Environment Education Nucleus
Telephone: (+55 13) 3386-9503
E-mail: bandeiraazulgja@gmail.com
*Translated by Mark Ament
