Andhra Pradesh’s Rushikonda Beach has once again received the Blue Flag tag. The Blue Flag tag was temporarily withdrawn by the Denmark-based Foundation for Environment Education (FEE) after it received complaints of poor maintenance of amenities at Rushikonda. (Source: TH)
Rushikonda Beach in Visakhapatnam is the only Blue Flag beach in Andhra Pradesh and is among the 13 Blue Flag beaches in India.
- Blue Flag Beaches in India: India now has 13 Blue Flag beaches, including:
- Odisha: Golden Beach
- Gujarat: Shivrajpur Beach
- Kerala: Kappad Beach, Chal Beach
- Diu: Ghoghla Beach
- Andaman & Nicobar: Radhanagar Beach
- Karnataka: Kasarkod Beach, Padubidri Beach
- Andhra Pradesh: Rushikonda Beach
- Tamil Nadu: Kovalam Beach
- Puducherry: Eden Beach
- Lakshadweep: Minicoy Thundi Beach, Kadmat Beach
- Criteria for Certification: The Blue Flag certification requires compliance with 33 criteria, including:
- Pollution abatement measures.
- Beach cleanliness and waste management.
- Safety and surveillance systems.
- Environmental education and awareness programs.
- Aesthetic and eco-friendly facilities.
- Role of BEAMS Programme:
- The Beach Environment & Aesthetic Management Services (BEAMS) programme, under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), has been instrumental in this achievement.
- Activities include pollution control, beach awareness initiatives, enhanced safety measures, and achieving international standards.
