8 beaches named for Blue Flag tag

New Delhi, September 18

On the eve of the International Coastal Clean-Up Day, which has been celebrated across 100 countries since 1986, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has announced that for the first time eight Indian beaches are being recommended for the coveted international eco-label, the Blue Flag certification.

The recommendations are made by an independent national jury composed of eminent environmentalists and scientists, a statement said.

Blue Flag beaches are considered the cleanest in the world. The eight beaches are Shivrajpur in Gujarat, Ghoghla in Daman and Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri in Karnataka, Kappad in Kerala, Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh, Golden beach of Odisha and Radhanagar beach in Andaman and Nicobar.

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said the government was committed to cleaning the beaches across the country. Clean beaches are the testimony to environment in the coastal area, he said. — TNS