Lazying on the Blue Flag certified beaches in India
Blue flag certification is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary awards for beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators
For the first time ever an international jury comprising the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) has named eight Indian beaches as being amongst the safest and cleanest in the world.
The beaches were awarded Blue Flag certification, that was introduced in France in 1985, as a pilot scheme from the office of the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe where French coastal municipalities were awarded the Blue Flag on the basis of criteria covering sewage treatment and bathing water quality. Blue flag certification 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 (about 33 of them) must be met and maintained,” reads the official website.
India is now the first country in the world to receive the Blue Flag certification for eight beaches in one attempt. Japan, South Korea and the UAE are the only other Asian nations who have been conferred with a couple of Blue Flag certifications. Here is a list of Blue Flag beaches in India:
Shivrajpur beach, Gujarat
The white sand the turquoise waters makes the Shivrajpur beach perfect for long walks
Just 15 minutes north of the Rukmani temple near Dwarka in Gujarat, lie long, clean stretches of beach, between a lighthouse and a rocky shoreline. The white sand and the turquoise waters make the beach perfect for long walks. The beach is far from industrial sites and megacities which makes the local environment clean. It also boasts of excellent water quality, according to the case study, Coastal Monitoring in Shivrajpur, India by water technology company Xylem.
Rushikonda beach, Andhra Pradesh
This beach is located on the coast of Bay of Bengal in Vishakhapatman, Andhra Pradesh and attracts tourists from all over the country every year. It is known for its “golden sands and tidy waves” and “lush green plants”, according to the state’s official website. It also offers water sports like swimming, water skiing and windsurfing. Other facilities include bio-toilets, provision of purified water, parking lots, solar treatment facilities, signage, walking and jogging tracks and solid waste management.
Ghoghla beach, Diu
Ghoghla beach is not crowded and is perfect for tourists
Situated in Ghoghla village, around 15 km from the main town in Diu, this beach has been gaining tourist attraction of late. From housing a tourist complex with all necessary amenities to offering adventure sports like parasailing and water scooters, Ghoghla has it all. The beach is not crowded and is perfect for tourists who like to stay aloof, says the union territory’s official website. “Clean and safe it’s a great spot for those who want to enjoy privacy and at the same time indulge in some water sports like parasailing, surfing and banana boat. The beach is well maintained and the best choice for a family holiday,” it says.
Kasarkod beach, Karnataka
Kasarkod beach is located in the Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka
This eco-beach is located in the Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka. Developed jointly by the tourism and forest departments and Kasarkod village forest committee, the beach was inaugurated in 2013. The destination offers the experience of a picturesque holiday with casuarina plantations, children’s park, boating facility and many other attractions.
Padubidri beach, Karnataka
This beach is located in the small town of Padubidri, Karnataka. This serene location offers a quiet and peaceful holiday, away from the crowd. On certain days, one can watch both, sunset in the west and moonrise in the east simultaneously, locals say. To the south of the main beach lies end point, recently developed by the department of tourism including river protection works, water sports activities, construction of jetty, jogging track, water facility and gardening.
Golden beach, Odisha
The popular Puri beach in Odisha features a stretch of golden sand
The popular Puri beach in Odisha features a stretch of golden sand dotted with food stalls. It is extremely popular among pilgrims who come to visit the nearby Jagannath temple. Visitors can take a stroll or collect seashells while relishing seafood. Under the Blue Flag project, a nearly 900-metre stretch between Mayfair Hotel and Gandhi Park was made a safe bathing zone, especially for the disabled. Apart from maintaining high-quality water, public toilets, solar lighting system, watchtowers and others are a part of the recent development on the beach.
Kappad beach, Kerala
This beach in Kozhikode district of Kerala, is dotted with rocks and small hills that add to its beauty. It also receives migratory birds occasionally. The one-kilometre long beach was revamped last year, including beautification and upgrading of safety, construction of jogging track, washrooms of international standards, rain shelters and installation of solar panels.
Radhanagar beach, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Radhanagar beach was awarded the title of seventh best beach in the world by Time magazine in 2015
Comprising clear turquoise waters and lush forests, Radhanagar in Havelock Island, Andaman, is one of the best beaches in the country. It was also awarded the title of the seventh best beach in the world and Asia’s best by Time magazine, in 2015. The destination is a favourite among honeymooners and other tourists for its vast expanses of unspoiled white sand, emerald blue waves with white foam and lush greens on the surroundings.
