Pretty-Dozen!

The mission of Blue Flag is to promote sustainability in the tourism sector, through environmental education and protection etc.,

KAVARATTI, Lakshadweep, Oct 27 (The CONNECT) - Two more Indian beaches - Minicoy, Thundi Beach and Kadmat Beach in Lakshadweep - have made it to the list of Blue Beaches, an eco-label given to the cleanest beaches in the world.

With this, India’s tally of Blue Beaches to 12. This is part of India’s relentless journey towards building a sustainable environment led by Narendra Modi, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav tweeted.

Spain leads the blue beach pack with 621 certified beaches followed by Greece at 570.

Blue Flag is a world-renowned ecolabel trusted by millions around the globe, says the forum’s website. The mission of Blue Flag is to promote sustainability in the tourism sector, through environmental education, environmental protection and other sustainable development practices. Thanks to Blue Flag and its partnerships, more than 4,500 beaches, marinas and eco-tourism boats are concretely contributing to the sustainable development goals. Blue Flag also campaigns against disparity, inequality, unemployment, health threats, depletion of natural resources, environmental threats, pollution and general environmental degradation.

While 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, Kadmat Beach is especially popular with cruise tourists who visit the island for water sports, Yadav said in his tweet and remarked: “Do visit!”

The other Blue Flag certified beaches are: Golden Beach – Odisha, Shivrajpur Beach – Gujarat, Kappad Beach and Kovalam – Kerala, Ghoghla Beach – Diu,, Radhanagar Beach – Andaman and Nicobar, Kasarkod Beach – Karnataka, Padubidri Beach – Karnataka, Rushikonda Beach – Andhra Pradesh and Eden Beach – Puducherry.

Blue Flag also contributes to fight poverty by supporting local economies through increasing tourism and promoting free access to beaches, business activities and services. It creates job opportunities related to the maintenance and management of beaches, marinas and eco-tourism boats. The environmental education activities organised by Blue Flag on its beaches, marinas and boats supports local green activities or initiatives related to education, health, sanitation and infrastructure. Access to sea through beach and environmental management standards ensures that the communities that have been traditionally dependent on ecosystem services continue to enjoy the benefits in years to come. The improved infrastructure creates opportunities for new technologies and skills that have impact on other work sectors in the local communities.