Visakhapatnam: The Rishikonda beach located in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam on the coast of Bay of Bengal is now likely to get Blue-Flag certification- the tag given to environment-friendly and clean beaches, equipped with amenities of international standards for tourists.
Under 'I am saving my beach' campaign, twelve beaches in the country are being developed by Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) an Environment Ministry’s body working for the management of coastal areas, in accordance with the Blue Flag standards.
As a part of the campaign which aims at an intensive beach cleaning and environment education, Rishikonda beach is witnessing an improvement in basic amenities and security measures in order to achieve the Blue Flag label.
Presently, sanitation workers have been deployed to keep a check on the trash and maintain cleanliness at the beach. Simultaneously awareness campaigns have been launched to prevent the city dwellers from littering in and around the beach.
Boards indicating dos and don'ts, watchtowers, toilets and parasols have been set up at the beach.
Tourism development officer said that the central government launched this prestigious project to develop the beaches and attract international tourists.
The official has proposed the names of 25 beaches from Andhra Pradesh for the second phase of this project.
Though thousands of beaches worldwide have been accorded with Blue Flag eco-label, none of the Indian beaches are up to the label standards.
Environmentalists and nature lovers are optimistic that the current project to beautify and improve beaches would bring about great results.
Also read: AP govt to appoint new consultant to prepare revised DPR for Vizag Metro
