Rushikonda Beach in Visakhapatnam, situated along the Bay of Bengal in Andhra Pradesh, India, has recently lost its Blue Flag certification. The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), a Denmark-based organization, recognized the beach with the prestigious Blue Flag status in 2020, covering a 600-meter stretch of coastline. Concerns about maintenance and cleanliness have caused this loss, and it remains the only Blue Flag beach in the state. Here’s everything you need to know.
Rushikonda Beach lost its prestigious Blue Flag certification due to several problems, including stray dogs, broken CCTV cameras, accumulating litter, and deteriorating facilities like toilets and changing rooms. Visitors also pointed out issues with damaged walkways. In response to these complaints, the organization temporarily revoked the beach’s certification, effective February 13, 2025.
This revocation occurred after the company responsible for beach management ended its contract roughly a year ago, resulting in a decline in maintenance. According to residents and tourism advocates, losing the Blue Flag status is a significant setback for Rushikonda, which was once celebrated for its cleanliness and environmental practices.
However, the state government stated that the Blue Flag status was only temporarily withdrawn mainly due to problems with crowd management and traffic. They mentioned, “The Blue Flag is expected to be restored soon after a safety audit is completed on March 4.”
What Is Blue Flag
The Blue Flag is a well-known voluntary award for beaches, marinas, and sustainable tourism boats. It requires compliance with strict criteria related to environmental quality, safety, accessibility, and education. To receive this award, one must meet specific standards for water quality, provide information, promote environmental education, and ensure effective safety and environmental management.
Number Of Blue Flag Beaches In India
India has 12 Blue Flag Beaches. However, Rushikonda Beach has temporarily lost its status, leaving 11 Blue Flag beaches in India.
1. Golden Beach, Puri, Odisha
2. Kasarkod Beach, Karnataka
3. Shivrajpur Beach, Dwarka, Gujarat
4. Kappad Beach, Kerala
5. Radhanagar Beach, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
6. Ghoghla Beach, Diu
7. Padubidri Beach, Karnataka
8. Kovalam Beach, Tamil Nadu
9. Eden Beach, Puducherry
10. Minicoi Thundi Beach, Lakshadweep
11. Kadmat Beach, Lakshadweep
