Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Oct 12: In what could serve as a major tourism boost for the district, Padubidri beach has been awarded the coveted 'Blue Flag' tag. With this recognition, Padubidri beach has etched itself on the global map of tourist attractions. It is a matter of great pride for the district to achieve this feat in its maiden attempt.
To prepare itself to win the eco-label works for Padubidri beach, plans had begun to be executed a year ago. The state government has provided infrastructure projects worth Rs 2.5 crore. Temporary bathroom, changing room, water purification unit, CCTV cameras and control room, toys for the children, first aid room, solid waste processing unit etc have been put in place. Solar panels have been provided to produce the power needed for beach maintenance. Street lights have also been provided. Footpaths, interlock for the parking area, providing of green grass cover and construction of information boards were also undertaken.
The Blue Flag certification is a highly recognised eco-label in which a beach has to meet 33 criteria fixed by the Foundation for Environment Education (FEE), Denmark.
A total of 13 beaches in the country were being developed for international Blue Flag certification. The national selection committee had selected eight among them. Mission leader of Blue flag beaches of India Sanjai Jalla stated that India was exceptional in securing the prestigious eco-label for all these eight beaches. The other beaches which were conferred with this coveted Blue Flag certification include Shivrajpur (Gujarat), Ghoghla (Diu), Kasarkod (Karnataka), Kappad (Kerala), Rushikonda (Andhra), Golden (Odisha) and Radhanagar (Andaman).
India has a 7,000 km long coastline. The union government is aiming at developing a number of beaches. An amount of eight crore rupees each had been sanctioned to the above eight beaches to turn them into eco-friendly tourist destinations. The major aim of the tourist department at Blue Flag beaches is to slowly develop home stays, tourist guides, taxi services etc towards improving foreign exchange inflow into the country.
Udupi district assistant director for tourism, Chandrashehar Nayak, said that Blue Flag hoisting was undertaken in all the eight beaches mentioned above and that his department has sent proposals seeking grant of Rs 5.91 crore to the state government. He said that an isle located nearby will be developed and road and parking facilities are yet to be fully developed.
Out of the 50 countries which entered the contest for most environment-friendly beaches the world over, India has bagged the third place as far cleanliness of beaches is concerned, it is learnt.
The announcement about Blue Flag recognition was made by union minister for environment, Prakash Javadekar.