Padubidri Beach gets Blue Flag Certification, A Boost to Coastal Tourism

Padubidri Beach gets Blue Flag Certification, A Boost to Coastal Tourism

Udupi: Copenhagen-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) on Sunday, October 11 granted the prestigious Blue Flag certification to Udupi District’s Padubidri beach besides seven other beaches in the country.

For the first time, all eight beaches recommended by any country have been given the Eco-label, Blue Flag certification.

The Centre under its ambitious Beach Environment and Aesthetic Management System (BEAMS) programme had last month proposed names of the eight beaches–Shiavrajpur (Gujarat), Ghoghla (Diu), Kasarkod (Karnataka), Padubidri (Karnataka), Kappad (Kerala), Golden Beach (Odisha), Rushikonda (AP) and Radhanagar (Andaman)–to the FEE’s international jury for consideration of the Blue Flag tag.

The FEE had prescribed 33 sets of guidelines on cleanliness, eco-friendly environment and tourist-friendly amenities for getting the Blue Flag status.

Last month, eight beaches of India were recommended for the prestigious international eco-label, Blue Flag, one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators.

Blue Flag beaches are considered the cleanest beaches in the world, and the winners have to meet a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria and maintain them.

Photo Courtesy : Abdul Hameed