Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Oct 12: The beach at Endpoint, Padubidri, is likely to get the Blue Flag tag shortly. It is one among the 13 beaches in the country which have been chosen to get this preferred distinction.

Blue Flag certification is given to beaches which stick to stringent environmental-friendly norms, cleanliness, and international standard facilities for tourists. This certification is given by the Foundation for Environmental Education that is popular in Europe and South Africa. Beaches which conform to 33 yardsticks prescribed by the foundation get this tag. 

Out of over 7,500 kilometers long beaches of India, only 13 beaches are being developed under this ambitious project. The Society for Integrated Coastal Management, functioning under the union department of environment, forest and climate change will be implementing this project.

After deliberating the issue at a meeting held by the department at New Delhi, Padubidri Endpoint has got the nod for this project. The southern-most tip of Nadpal village near Padubidri is being developed under the project where t River Kamini and Arabian Sea meet. The district administration has now set into motion the implementation of this project costing eight crore rupees.

The endpoint has a plantation of casuarina trees. Works like cleaning the atmosphere by clearing shrubs and bushes, leveling of the land and providing road connectivity among others have been taken up. Preparation of action plan and maps is under progress.

Under this project, 5.88 acre of government land would be developed and facilities like parking area, shops, toilets, bathrooms etc would be provided. Bamboo sheds will be erected, and Play Park for children would be built. Jogging track, solar plant and waste disposal unit are the other facilities which need to come up here. It is learnt that a Haryana-based company has bagged the beach development contract and it will take up works shortly.

Chandrabhaga beach in Odisha happens to be the first ever beach in the country and the entire Asia to get this certification. Once this project is completed, it is expected to give a boost to tourism in the district.