Pramod Madhwaraj, Minister of State for Fisheries, Youth Empowerment and Sports, said recently that efforts are made to get the ‘blue flag’ certification for Padukere Beach near Malpe. He was speaking after inaugurating the State’s first Sea Walkway at Malpe, here.
The ‘blue flag’ certification is given by the Foundation for Environmental Education for a beach, a marina or a sustainable boating tourism operator.
The criteria include standards for water quality, safety, environmental education and information, the provision of services and general environmental management criteria.
Mr. Madhwaraj said that getting the certification would help in attracting international tourists to the beach.
An amount of ₹69 lakh had been spent to improve the road connectivity to Padukere.
The construction of toilets and gazebos would be taken up at Padukere beach.
The beach facing the Arabian Sea, separated from Malpe fisheries harbour by the Udyavara rivulet, had now got road connectivity from Malpe. Hence efforts were being made to develop both the beaches.
A large number of youth in Malpe were dependent on fisheries. But tourism was a growing sector. The objective was also to create employment opportunities in the tourism sector.
The Malpe beach, the St. Mary’s Island (about 6.5 km from Malpe) and the Padukere beach along with the Sea Walkway will attract more tourists here and facilitate the development of tourism, Mr. Madhwaraj said.
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