For the first time ever, eight beaches of India have been recommended for the globally recognised and the coveted international eco-label, the Blue flag certification. Blue Flag beaches are considered the cleanest beaches of the world.

The announcement came from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) at a virtual event, on the eve of International Coastal Clean-Up Day, celebrated across 100 countries since 1986. The eight beaches are Radhanagar beach in Andaman and Nicobar, Ghoghla in Daman and Diu, Golden beach of Odisha, Kasarkod and Padubidri beach in Karnataka, Kappad in Kerala, Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh and Shivrajpur in Gujarat.

The recommendations have been made by an independent national jury comprising eminent scientists and environmentalists.

In a video message, World Bank Country Director, Zunaid Khan, applauded India’s efforts towards cleaning up its beaches and said that India with its strategies for sustainable coastal zone management shall act as a lighthouse for other countries in the region.

With a view to protect and conserve the coastal and marine ecosystems and environment through a holistic coastal management, the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change launched the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) activities in India for a holistic approach with an interactive, dynamic, multidisciplinary, and iterative planning process to promote sustainable development & management of coastal zones.