Eight Indian beaches get International Blue Flag certification

Team L&M

An international jury comprising eminent members viz UNEP, UNWTO, FEE and IUCN has awarded the Blue Flag to eight beaches of India. Spread across five states and two union territories, these beaches are at (Dwarka-Gujarat), Ghoghla (Diu), Kasarkod and Padubidri (Karnataka), Kappad (Kerala), Rushikonda (AP), Golden (Puri-Odisha) and Radhanagar (A&N Islands). India has also been awarded a third Prize by the international jury under the “International Best Practices” for pollution control in coastal regions.

Japan, South Korea and the UAE are the other Asian nations who have been conferred with a couple of Blue Flag beaches, however, in a time frame of about five to six years. India has received the award in a single attempt.

India is now in the league of 50 Blue Flag countries and plans to take this journey forward to 100 such beaches in the country in the next five years. India began its humble journey in 2018 for development of pilot beaches (one each in coastal states/UTs) and presented the first set of 08 beaches for the certification for the ensuing tourist season 2020.