Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Thursday informed the world-famous Agonda beach is one of two beaches in Canacona which could can be recommended for the Blue-Flag certification.
Khaunte along with Speaker and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar were interacting with the chairperson and councillors or Canacona Municipal Council, sarpanchas and panchas of Agonda, Shrishthal, Poinguinim, Khotigao, Gaondongrim and Loliem-Polem and prominent citizens on tourism development works in Canacona at a meeting in the Government Rest House, Shrishthal.
“Tourism activities will result in solving unemployment,” said Khaunte, while suggesting a core team from Canacona to interact with the team to be formed by the government.
Khaunte also suggested an app for bookings in water sports activities, such as dolphin trips by boats.
Later, Tourism Director Nikhil Dessai also stated that two beaches of Canacona can be promoted for the Blue-Flag certification.
He went on to add that Agonda beach could be one of these two beaches, since Agonda has often been ranked among the top 12 beaches of the world and among the 6 best in Asia.
Dessai informed that the Blue-Flag certification is a gold standard for world beaches and a concept practiced in 40 different countries across the world.
He said 38 parameters to certify a Blue-Flag beach include water quality, safety and security, drinking water, lighting and access to the beach.
“Certification is not lifetime, but just for a year. If you don’t maintain the same standards, the certificate gets revoked, so conservation as well as maintenance of all 38 parameters is a must. The Blue-Flag certification is a prestige issue for the State and the government will not allow this certification to be revoked,” said Dessai.
