India Becomes First Nation To Get Eight 'Blue Flag' Beaches
Writer: Palak Agrawal
Palak a journalism graduate believes in simplifying the complicated and writing about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. She calls herself a " hodophile" or in layman words- a person who loves to travel.
India, 12 Oct 2020 5:54 AM GMT
Editor : Prateek Gautam |
A free soul who believes that journalism, apart from politics, should stand for social cause and the environment.
Creatives : Rajath
A free spirit who find meaning in life with the virtue of creativity and doing job par its excellence, animal lover and traveller by heart.
India has also been awarded the third prize by the jury under the "International Best Practices" for pollution control in coastal regions.
For the first time, eight Indian beaches have been granted the prestigious 'Blue Flag' certification, announced the Environment Ministry on Sunday, October 11.
Calling it a "proud moment" for the country, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said the certification is a global recognition of the country's efforts towards conservation and sustainable development efforts.
The Blue Flag certification is a globally recognized eco-label granted by "Foundation for Environment Education, Denmark". This certification is based on 33 stringent criteria under four major heads comprising of environmental education and information, bathing water quality, environmental management, and conservation, and safety and services at the beaches.
Blue Flag beaches are considered the cleanest beaches of the world due to their highest environmental and quality standards.
The beaches which have been awarded the certification are Shivrajpur in Gujarat, Ghoghla in Diu, Kasarkod, and Padubidri in Karnataka, Kappad in Kerala, Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh, Golden in Odisha, and Radhanagar in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it said.
The ministry said that the certification has been awarded to eight beaches spread across five states and two union territories by an international jury comprising of eminent members of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Denmark-based NGO Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
"(It is a) proud moment for India that international organizations and juries have accorded 'Blue Flag' to our 8 sea beaches. They're being recognized for their cleanliness, friendly infrastructure, sustainable development practices in the ocean nearby, and on beaches," commented Mr. Javadekar.
India has also been awarded the third prize by the jury under the "International Best Practices" for pollution control in coastal regions.
Also Read: World Girl Child Day: With Re 1 Donation Per Day, Bihar Women Start Sanitary Pad Bank For Poor Girls