8 Indian beaches get prestigious Blue Flag Certification

Inspired by the government’s Swachh India Abhiyan, cleaning of our sea-beaches has resulted in eight beaches being awarded the prestigious Blue Flag certification. The Blue Flag certification is a globally recognised eco-label accorded by “Foundation for Environment Education, Denmark” based on 33 stringent criteria under four major heads — environmental education and information, bathing water quality, environment management and conservation, and safety and services at the beaches. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described the certification as a wonderful feat of protecting such spots and furthering sustainable development.

A Blue Flag beach is an eco-tourism model endeavouring to provide the tourists or beachgoers clean and hygienic bathing water, facilities, safe and healthy environment and sustainable development of the area. Japan, South Korea and the UAE are the only other Asian nations who have been conferred with a couple of Blue Flag beaches.

The awarded beaches are:

Shivrajpur beach in Gujarat: Shivrajpur is just 15 minutes north of the Rukmani temple. The long, pristine beach stretches near the shivrajpur village, between a lighthouse and a rocky shoreline.

Ghoghla in Diu

Kasarkod and Padubidri in Karnataka

Kappad in Kerala: Kappad Beach has historically played an important role in the history of Kerala. On these shores, over 500 years ago in 1498, 170 men led by Vasco- da-Gama first stepped onto Kerala.

“A visit to Kozhikode is incomplete without a visit to this legendary site. The spice route flourished through this Beach,” says Kerala Tourism official website.

Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh

Golden in Odisha: Also famous as the Puri Beach, the Golden Beach is a stretch of fine golden sand dotted with stalls selling sumptuous seafood and knick-knack

Radhanagar in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Radhanagar Beach is one of the most famous attractions in Havelock Island. Commonly known as Beach No. 7, Radhanagar has been given the title of the best beach in Asia and the 7th best beach in the world by Time Magazine in 2004. The beach is also included in the Top 25 beaches in Asia by Tripadvisor’s Traveller’s Choice Awards in 2016.