Mangaluru: Development works to start today for blue flag beach at Tannirbhavi

MANGALURU: As part of the World Tourism Day celebration, the ground-breaking ceremony for the development of the Blue Flag Beach at Tannirbhavi will be held on Tuesday.
Under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project, the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) has piloted the Beach Environment and Aesthetic Management Service (BEAMS) Programme. Under this programme, various activities related to pollution abatement, beach awareness, aesthetics, safety, surveillance services and environmental education will be identified at beaches aimed to achieve international standards for Blue Flag Beach Certification.
Dakshina Kannada deputy director of tourism department Manikya said the one-kilometre stretch (near Fathima beach) will be developed into a Blue Flag beach as per the norms laid down by the government.
“The beach will be developed on the lines of Padubidri Blue Flag beach and on par with the best international beaches with safety and ecologically sustainable infrastructure, acceptable bathing water quality, self-sustaining energy supply and environmentally sound services and management measures,” he said. This is one of the district’s ambitious projects that will bring international recognition, he added.
Meanwhile, a representative from BVG India Limited, which is executing this project, said that following the ground-breaking ceremony, the works are likely to be completed in a year’s time. As part of this project, toilet blocks for men, women and the disabled, and shower rooms will be built.
“There will be a grey water treatment plant, solid waste management plant, solar plants and watch towers will be built. The beach will also have lifeguards. The entire stretch will be a plastic free zone and we will ensure that lifeguards are present all the time. This will be developed into one of the cleanest beaches with all facilities,” said the representative.
District minister V Sunil Kumar will inaugurate the tourism day celebrations and lay the foundation for the works in the presence of ministers S Angara and Kota Shrinivas Poojari.