The two beaches to receive the certification this year are Kovalam in Tamil Nadu and Eden in Puducherry.
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| Kovalam Beach, TamilNadu. |
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| Eden Beach, Puducherry. |
The Foundation for Environment Education (FEE), Denmark, which accords the Blue Flag certification, has also given re-certification for eight nominated beaches
- Shivrajpur-Gujarat,
- Ghoghla-Diu,
- Kasarkod and
- Padubidri-Karnataka,
- Kappad-Kerala,
- Rushikonda- Andhra Pradesh,
- Golden-Odisha and
- Radhanagar- Andaman and Nicobar,
which were awarded the Blue Flag certificate last year. These eight beaches got the Blue Flag certification on October 6, 2020.
The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary awards for beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.
What is Blue Flag certification?
- Blue Flag certification is a globally recognised eco-label accorded on the basis of 33 stringent criteria in four major heads which are environmental education and information, bathing water quality, environmental management and conservation and safety and services in the beaches.
- The Blue Flag beach is an eco-tourism model endeavouring to provide the tourists/beachgoers clean and hygienic bathing water, facilities, a safe and healthy environment and sustainable development of the area.
- The recommendations are done by an independent national jury composed of eminent environmentalists and scientists.
