'Blue Flag’ certification for Padubidri beach

• First beach in Karnataka to get ‘Blue Flag’ certification
• Padubidri beach to be developed into a world class beach

Udupi: The Beach Management Services Scheme (BEAMS) of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has chosen Padubidri beach, for the ‘Blue Flag’ certification and thereby making it the only beach in Karnataka to be chosen so.

One among 13 beaches selected across the nation, Padubidri beach located at Padubidri village in Udupi district will get a major facelift at a cost of Rs 8 crore under the BEAMS scheme. The ministry has selected one beach each in the coastal states and Union territories World Bank-assisted Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) and on a pilot basis will be providing infrastructure facilities.

Facilities under the scheme

Through the scheme, the beach will get many facilities including bio-toilet blocks, changing rooms with shower panels, CCTV cameras for 24 x 7 surveillance, watch towers, sit-out umbrellas with lounge chairs, jogging track with outdoor gym and children’s play area for recreational activities. The scheme will also provide drinking water, dustbins, seating benches, wheel chairs for differently-abled, composting and recycling of solid waste and many other facilities.

In addition to the facilities provided, services of professional beach cleaners, security guards, lifeguards and first aid attendants will be availed with an intention to maintain cleanliness at the beach.

A Gurgaon-based company has received the contract through the tender process that has already been completed and the company will manage the beach for two years.

The beach will have a annual turnover of Rs. 100 crore and will be an internationally recognized beach attracting tourists from all over the world, said Assistant Director of Tourism Anita Bhaskar.

Blue Flag

Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained. Once the beach is certified they are permitted to hoist the ‘Blue Flag’ on the beach and it is mentioned at the global headquarters of Foundation for Environment Education (FEE) in Copenhagen, Denmark and thereby on the World Tourism Map.