Padubidri beach: The new 'Blue Flag' tag holder

Mridanee Shetty

October 23, 2020

(Source: Skanda Raj (Local Guide), Google Reviews)

The execution of plans by Padubidri beach, to win the eco-label has finally been recognised on the global level by being awarded the 'Blue Flag' tag on the global level, on October 12, 2020.

The Denmark-based Foundation for Environment Education (FEE) has awarded Padubidri beach the coveted 'Blue Flag' tag, giving a major boost to tourism in Udupi. The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)—an international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation – runs the Blue Flag programme for beaches and marinas. It started in France in 1985. It has been implemented in Europe since 1987, and in areas outside Europe since 2001, when South Africa joined. Blue Flag has become a global programme, with more countries participating in it.

Until recently, the jury had given the Blue Flag label to 4,664 beaches, marinas and boats from 46 countries. According to Times of India, the DC said that the reports had indicated that the water quality at the beach is pure. The district administration had submitted a proposal for Rs 5 crore to the state government to further develop the beach.

There were around eight beaches on the list, from India and Padubidri beach is one of them to be selected. The beaches shortlisted were 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 the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Kasarkod beach near Honnavar in Uttara Kannada district is the other beach in Karnataka that was awarded the 'Blue Flag' tag along with Padubidri.

The blue flag eco-label is awarded based on standards relating to bathing water quality, services, safety, accessibility and the environment.

With this new label, Padubidri beach has been recognised as a tourist spot in the international level.

"The State Tourism Department had developed various facilities at the beach, executing infrastructure projects worth Rs 10.68 crore in the past two years", district tourism assistant director Chandrashekhar Naik said, which has also been mentioned in an article on Scribd.

(Sources: Tribune India, Times of India, Deccan Herald)

Edited by : Shreya Gupta and Aditya Das