Denmark-based Foundation for Environment Education awarded the Blue Flag certification to Kovalam Beach in Tamil Nadu and Eden Beach in Pondicherry.
The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognized voluntary awards for beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.
This year’s awards takes India’s count of this coveted certification to ten altogether. The eight beaches that were nominated last year for the Blue Flag have been re-certified this year as well: Shivrajpur in Gujarat, Ghoghla in Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri in Karnataka, Kappad in Kerala, Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh, Golden in Odisha, and Radhanagar in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The Foundation for Environment Education conducts regular monitoring and audits for strict compliance of its 33 criteria at all times. A waving “Blue Flag” is an indication of 100 percent compliance to these 33 stringent criteria and sound health of the beach.
India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in its pursuit of ‘Sustainable Development’ of the coastal regions of India started a flagship program Beach Environment and Aesthetics Management Services. The program aims to protect and conserve the coastal and marine ecosystems in India through holistic management of resources. The Ministry is further committed to developing 100 more beaches in the following 5 years.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
