India

2 more Indian beaches awarded prestigious ‘Blue-Flag’ certification, total count now at 10

Blue Flag certification is a globally recognized eco-label accorded on the basis of 33 stringent criteria in four major heads which are environmental education and information, bathing water quality, environmental management, and conservation and safety and services in the beaches.

In another major milestone towards a cleaner and greener India, two more Indian beaches – Kovalam in Kerala and Eden in Puducherry have been awarded the ‘Blue Flag’ certification, an international eco-level tag, taking the total number of such beaches in the country to 10.

Blue flag beaches are considered to be amongst the cleanest beaches in the world. Eight other Indian beaches – Shivrajpur – Gujarat, Ghoghla – Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri – Karnataka, Kappad – Kerala, Rushikonda – Andhra Pradesh, Golden – Odisha, and Radhanagar- Andaman and Nicobar, which were awarded the Blue-flag tag last year have also been re-certified this year.

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav took to Twitter to express his happiness and congratulate the country on this feat.

With this, the Ministry embarked upon its flagship program Beach Environment and Aesthetics Management Services (BEAMS) to ensure sustainable development of the coastal regions of India. This was particularly aimed at achieving the globally recognized and coveted International eco-label ‘Blue Flag’.

Blue Flag certification is a globally recognized eco-label accorded on the basis of 33 stringent criteria in four major heads which are environmental education and information, bathing water quality, environmental management, and conservation and safety and services in the beaches. It is an eco-tourism model that aims to provide the tourists with clean and hygienic bathing water, facilities, a safe and healthy environment, and sustainable development of the area.

It is accorded by the international jury composed of eminent members – United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP), United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Denmark-based NGO Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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