The Ministry of Environment said that the two beaches to be certified this year are Kovalam and Eden in Kerala and Puducherry respectively.
Two more beaches in India have received the “Blue Flag” certification, an international eco-label, which brings the total number of these beaches in the country to 10, the Ministry of Environment said on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Environment said that the two beaches to be certified this year are Kovalam and Eden in Kerala and Puducherry respectively. The According to the ministry, Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Denmark, which awards the Blue Flag certification, has recertified eight nominated beaches which received the Blue Flag certificate last year. The eight nominated beaches are, 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 certificate on October 6 last year.
The Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav expressed his delight at the development and said it was another milestone in India's path to a clean and green India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "We are excited to announce that India now has 10 International Blue Flag beaches, with the addition of Kovalam and Eden Beaches this year and recertification of 8 beaches that received the label in 2020. Another milestone in our journey towards a clean and green India led by PM Shri @ NarendraModi Ji," Yadav tweeted.
The Blue Flag is a globally recognized eco-label that is awarded on the basis of 33 stringent criteria in four main parameters that are, quality of bathing water, environmental education and information, environmental management and conservation along with safety and services on the beaches. Eco-tourism model, which aims to provide clean and hygienic bathing water, under the safe and healthy environment and sustainable development of the area to the tourists or beachgoers.
The Environment Ministry said that they have succeeded in saving 1100 ml / year of municipal water through recycling; educated around 1,25,000 beachgoers to behave responsibly on the beaches; provided alternative livelihood to 500 families of fishermen through reduced pollution, safety and services, and has also increased the influx of recreational activities on the beaches by about 80%, which has led to economic development. The ministry said it will develop 100 more beaches over the next five years as part of its ICZM initiative.
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