Honnavar: Development: works to get ‘Blue Flag Certificate’ by a global a g ency will commence at Kasarkod Eco-beach near Honnavar soon after the rainy season.

Two officials from New Delhi visited the beach and held talks with district administration officials on Friday.

Kasarkod eco-beach was chosen by the Union Government for ‘Blue Flag Certification’ Project and it was the only beach in the district that has been selected for the global flagship. ‘Blue Flag’ is a certification given by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) of Denmark, which is recognised by international agencies and most of the countries.

In order to qualify for the prestigious certificate, a series of environmental, educational, safety-related and access-related criteria should be met with and maintained. The objective of the certification is to reduce pollution level and promote sustainable development of coastal regions.

To achieve the certificate, the beach has to meet 33 specifications. Hence, it will be developed to meet the standards. To meet all specifications, the Union Government has awarded contract to a Delhi-based private agency. Officials concerned who visited Kasarkod on Thursday met district administration representatives on Friday and held a discussion on proposed work.

According to sources, apart from an approaching road, other basic facilities to be provided at the beach include pathways, solid waste management units, CCTV cameras, watch towers, beach clean BLUE FLAG CERTIFICATE Kasarkod eco-beach development work to start soon after rainy season ing machine, solar plants, dust bins, drinking water, bathing and toilet facilities. Work in this regard will start soon after the rainy season.

A total 13 beaches in the country, including Kasarkod and Padubidri beaches in Udupi district, are being developed by the Society for Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM), an agency of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, as per specification set by FEE. The government will develop 10 beaches in 2019-20.

Deputy Director of Uttara Kannada Tourism Department S Purushottama told Express that two representatives of a private firm, which has got tender of the project, visited Kasarkod beach and Karwar, and held talks with district administration officials. They have taken soil for test and are expected to start civil works soon. After two years, they will hand over the beach to the district administration for maintenance.