Explained: What is 'Blue Flag'? All about Lakshadweep's Minicoy Thundi and Kadmat beaches that won the coveted award

Two Indian beaches, Minicoy Thundi beach and Kadmat beach, located in Lakshadweep, have received the International eco-label ‘Blue Flag’.

The Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav expressed happiness and congratulated everyone stating that it is a part of India`s relentless journey towards building a sustainable environment led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Proud moment!

Two more Indian beaches have made it to the list of Blue Beaches. Minicoy, Thundi Beach and Kadmat Beach - both in Lakshadweep - are the proud entrants in the coveted list of Blue Beaches, an eco-label given to the cleanest beaches in the world. pic.twitter.com/i2bTdB5tJi

— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) October 26, 2022

PM Narendra Modi also congratulated the people of Lakshadweep after Minicoy Thundi Beach and Kadmat Beach made it to the coveted list of Blue Beaches, an eco-label given to the cleanest beaches in the world. He highlighted India`s remarkable coastline and lauded the passion among Indians to further coastal cleanliness.

About Minicoy Thundi beach and Kadmat beach

Thundi Beach is one of the most pristine and picturesque beaches in the Lakshadweep archipelago where white sand is lined by the turquoise blue water of the lagoon, Kadmat Beach is especially popular with cruise tourists who visit the island for water sports. Both beaches comply with all the 33 criteria mandated by the Foundation for Environment Education (FEE).

Other Indian beaches with Blue flag certification

The other Indian beaches with the blue flag are Shivrajpur-Gujarat, Ghoghla-Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri-Karnataka, Kappad-Kerala, Rushikonda- Andhra Pradesh, Golden-Odisha, Radhanagar- Andaman and Nicobar, Kovalam in Tamil Nadu and Eden beach in Puducherry.

What is Blue Flag certification?

The Blue Flag certification can be obtained by a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator. This serves as an eco-label.

This is awarded annually to FEE member countries based on the recommendations of an International jury which includes the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The mission of Blue Flag is to promote sustainability in the tourism sector, through environmental education, environmental protection and other sustainable development practices.

 
With inputs from Agencies