9 Indian Beaches awarded the Blue Flag

9 Indian Beaches awarded the Blue Flag

October 14, 2020
An ocean breeze puts a mind at ease.

The gentle sea breeze rustling through your hair, glistening turquoise waves, and the smell of the salty sea, isn’t it a soothing and calm feeling?

9 beaches in India have been awarded the Blue Tag certification for being the cleanest beaches in the world. Across five states and two union territories, these beaches are Shivrajpur (Dwarka, Gujarat), Ghoghla (Diu), Kasarkod and Padubidri (Karnataka), Kappad (Kerala), Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh), Golden Beach (Puri, Odisha), and Radhanagar (Andaman & Nicobar Islands).

The Union Environment Ministry, last year submitted names of these beaches for the ‘Blue Flag’ certification.

What is Blue Flag certification?

It is a coveted award given to some of the cleanest beaches in the world by Denmark-based agency ‘Foundation for Environment Education’. Beaches are awarded on the basis of 33 criteria, mainly under 4 heads –

(i) Environmental education and information

(ii) Water quality

(iii) Environment management

(iv) Safety and services

Shivrajpur Beach, Dwarka, Gujarat

Shivrajpur Beach

Ghoghla Beach, Diu

Ghoghla Beach

Kasarkod Beach and Padubidri Beach, Karnataka

Padubidri Beach

Kappad Beach, Kerala

Kappad Beach

Rushikonda Beach, Andhra Pradesh

Rushikonda Beach

Golden Beach, Puri, Odisha

Golden Beach, Puri

Radhanagar Beach, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Radhanagar Beach