Bhubaneswar: The Golden Beach in Puri has been recommended to the International Jury of Denmark for the coveted global eco-label ‘Blue Flag’ certification in forthcoming tourist season under the Beach Environment and Aesthetic Management System (BEAMS) program.
The Golden Beach is among the eight beaches in India which have been nominated by the Centre for the Blue Flag tag.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan informed about the development while thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar for nominating the beach for the prestigious certification.
“Thank PM Shri Narendra Modiji and Minister Prakash Javdekarji for recommending the Golden Beach in Puri along with 7 other beaches in India to the International Jury for the coveted global eco-label—Blue flag certification in the forthcoming tourist season under the BEAMS program,” tweeted Pradhan.
The union minister further stated that the development of world-class facilities and compliance of Blue flag criteria at the Golden beach in Puri and other beaches in the country will further develop new tourism hotspots and will boost sustainable beach tourism in Odisha and other coastal States.
“Being piloted by Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, BEAMS undertakes sustainable development of coastal regions, whilst serving the imperatives of environment protection and conservation of natural resources in alignment with UN’s sustainable development goals,” said the Union Minister.
Under the initiative of BEAMS, SICOM has invested more than Rs 8.5 crore over the past 2.5 years in developing environment-friendly tourist amenities at the Golden beach in Puri, added the Minister.
What is ‘Blue Flag’ certification?
The iconic ‘Blue Flag’ is a certification awarded to a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator, and serves as an eco-label. The certification is awarded by the Denmark-based non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria that applicants must meet and maintain.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)
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