Why in news?
The Blue Flag eco‑label remains a focus of discussion as tourist season approaches. As of the 2024/2025 season, twelve Indian beaches hold the prestigious Blue Flag certification, which signals high standards of water quality, environmental management, safety, education and accessibility. The award is renewed annually, encouraging continuous improvement.
Background
The Blue Flag programme began in 1985 in France as a local campaign to promote clean beaches. In 1987 the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) extended the award to ten European countries, and by 2001 it expanded beyond Europe. Today the programme operates in more than 50 countries and recognises over 5,000 beaches, marinas and sustainable boats.
Criteria
To earn a Blue Flag, a beach must meet 33 stringent criteria grouped into four broad categories:
- Environmental education and information: Display details about the Blue Flag programme, local ecosystems and cultural sites; provide a map of beach facilities; organise environmental activities and post a code of conduct for users.
- Water quality: Comply with strict sampling frequency and quality standards; ensure no industrial or sewage discharges affect the beach; meet microbiological and physical parameter thresholds.
- Environmental management: Establish a beach management committee; keep the beach clean; manage sensitive areas responsibly; provide adequate waste bins, toilets and recycling facilities; regulate driving, camping and domestic animals; monitor marine habitats and promote sustainable transport.
- Safety and services: Implement public safety measures and emergency plans; provide lifeguards or safety equipment; ensure clean drinking water and restrooms; manage different users to prevent conflicts; make at least one beach in each municipality accessible to persons with disabilities.
India’s Blue Flag beaches
India joined the Blue Flag family in 2018. According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, twelve beaches currently display the flag:
- Shivrajpur Beach – Gujarat
- Ghoghla Beach – Diu
- Kasarkod Beach – Karnataka
- Padubidri Beach – Karnataka
- Kappad Beach – Kerala
- Rushikonda Beach – Andhra Pradesh
- Golden Beach (Puri) – Odisha – the first Blue Flag beach in India and Asia
- Radhanagar Beach – Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Kovalam Beach – Tamil Nadu
- Eden Beach – Puducherry
- Minicoy Thundi Beach – Lakshadweep
- Kadmat Beach – Lakshadweep
Significance
The Blue Flag award encourages local authorities to invest in waste management, wastewater treatment, renewable energy and accessible facilities. It fosters environmental education, attracts eco‑conscious tourists and raises community pride. For India, the programme complements national initiatives such as the Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar campaign and helps coastal communities secure sustainable livelihoods.
Sources: Blue Flag Programme; Press Information Bureau