Two more beaches in India have been given the coveted International eco-label ‘Blue Flag’. The addition of Minicoy Thundi Beach and Kadmat Beach, both in Lakshadweep, takes the number of Indian beaches certified under the Blue Flag certification to twelve.
The globally recognised eco-label Blue Flag certification is accorded by the Foundation for Environment Education in Denmark (FEE). In order to qualify for this prestigious award, a total of 33 stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access-related criteria must be met and maintained.
The mission of Blue Flag is to promote sustainability in the tourism sector, through environmental education, environmental protection and other sustainable development practices.
The Eden Beach in Puducherry and Kovalam Beach in Tamil Nadu were awarded the title in 2021. Spain has the highest number of Blue Flag certified beaches with 579 of its beaches making to the list.
Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav expressed “Proud moment!” in a twitter message.
Proud moment!
Two more Indian beaches have made it to the list of Blue Beaches. Minicoy, Thundi Beach and Kadmat Beach – both in Lakshadweep – are the proud entrants in the coveted list of Blue Beaches, an eco-label given to the cleanest beaches in the world. pic.twitter.com/i2bTdB5tJi
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) October 26, 2022
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too tweeted his congratulations, particularly to the people of Lakshadweep as Minicoy, Thundi Beach and Kadmat Beach make it to coveted list of Blue Beaches, an eco-label given to the cleanest beaches in the world.
Sharing the tweet by Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav, Modi tweeted:
“This is great! Congratulations, particularly to the people of Lakshadweep, for this feat. India’s coastline is remarkable and there is also a great amount of passion among our people to further coastal cleanliness.”
The Thundi Beach is one of the most pristine and picturesque beaches in the Lakshadweep archipelago where white sand is lined by turquoise blue water of the lagoon. It is a paradise for swimmers and tourists alike.
The Kadmat Beach is especially popular with cruise tourists who visit the island for water sports. It is a paradise for nature lovers with its pearl white sand, blue lagoon waters, its moderate climate and friendly locals.
Credit: @byadavbjp/Twitter
Both the beaches have designated staff for beach cleanliness and maintenance, and for safety and security of swimmers. Both the beaches comply with all the 33 criteria as mandated by the Foundation for Environment Education (FEE).
The other Indian beaches in the blue list are Shivrajpur-Gujarat, Ghoghla-Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri-Karnataka, Kappad-Kerala, Rushikonda-Andhra Pradesh, Golden-Odisha, Radhanagar- Andaman and Nicobar, Kovalam in Tamil Nadu, and Eden in Puducherry beaches.
