Blue flag certification awarded to two more beaches in India

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, informed on Tuesday, September 21, that two more beaches in India have been awarded with ‘Blue Flag’ certification. Kovalam beach in Tamil Nadu and Eden in Puducherry are the two beaches to receive the certification, it added.

Blue Flag certification is the international eco-level tag and the total number of such beaches in India has reached to ten. The Foundation for Environment Education (FEE), Denmark, which accords this certification, has also provided re-certification to eight other nominated beaches, namely Shivrajpur-Gujarat, Ghoghla-Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri-Karnataka, Kappad-Kerala, Rushikonda-Andhra Pradesh, Golden-Odisha, and Radhanagar-Andaman and Nicobar. These eight beaches were awarded the Blue Flag certification on October 6 last year.

Bhupendra Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, expressed his happiness and said that it adds one more milestone to the country’s journey towards a clean and green India. The recommendation of the beaches is given by an independent national jury which consists of eminent environmentalists and scientists.

Blue Flag certification is a globally recognised eco-label which is given on the basis of 33 stringent criteria divided into four categories of environmental education and information, bathing water quality, environmental management and conservation, and safety and services at such beaches. The certification aims to provide clean and hygienic bathing water, facilities, a safe and healthy environment to the tourists, and sustainable development of the region.