Chennai: Tamil Nadu's Marina Beach, a landmark in Chennai, will soon have water sport activities in a joint collaboration with Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation and Royal Madras Yacht Club, said Tamil Nadu Minister for Tourism Mathiventhan on Saturday. The Minister also said that the Tamil Nadu government will spend Rs 100 crore for the next five year for promoting eco-tourism and developing pollution-free beaches in order to receive Blue Flag certification for Marina and 9 other beaches of Tamil Nadu. 


According to reports, the Minister while responding to a debate in the Assembly said that Marina beach will soon have water sport activities. The Department also plans to start a floating restaurant in Muttukadu Boat House on East Coast Road and Mudaliarkuppam Boat House will be developed for Rs 50 lakh. The Muttukadu Boat House was set up and maintained by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC). The TTDC will also start adventure sports like bungee slingshot, nature walks and zip lining at Yelagiri. 


Also Read | Tamil Nadu Govt To Revive Excess Gold Scheme In Temples


Meanwhile, the Environment Minister said the department also aims to get Blue Flag certification for 10 beaches including Marina. The Minster said that they have set a target to get certification for two beaches in 2021-22. The Blue Flag is a certification given by Denmark based NGO for Environment Education and the beaches meeting 33 criteria including safety and quality will get the certification.


The government is aiming to get a blue flag tag for beaches including Manalmekudi and Kottaipattinam in Pudukkottai district, Kameshwaram and Neithal Nagar in Nagapattinam, Naravakkam in Villupuram, Kushi in Ramanathapuram, Silver beach in Cuddalore, Kayalpattinam in Tuticorin and Neelankarai in Chengalpet district.