Visakhapatnam’s Rushikonda Beach has regained its prestigious Blue Flag certification, marking the end of a temporary suspension.

About Rushikonda Beach

• Located in Visakhapatnam on the coast of Bay of Bengal in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
• Rushikonda literally means “Hill of the Sages”. 
• Surrounded by seven hills, the 14th century Sapta Rusheswara Temple is also located in Rishikonda.
• Awarded the Blue Flag certification in 2020, but it was temporarily revoked due to concerns about environmental management and hygiene. 
• Only Blue Flag beach in Andhra Pradesh and is among the 13 Blue Flag beaches in India.

About Blue Flag Certification

• ‘Blue Flag’ is a certification that can be obtained by a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator, and serves as an eco-label
• Certification is awarded by Denmark-based non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education
• Awarded annually to Beaches and Marinas in FEE member countries.
• Internationally recognised eco-label that is accorded based on 33 criterias 
  • Standards were established by the Copenhagen-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) in 1985
  • These criteria are divided into 4 major heads namely,
    • Environmental education and information
    • Bathing water quality
    • Environmental management
    • Conservation and safety services in the beaches
• Accorded by the international jury composed of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Denmark-based NGO Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
• Certification is updated annually Locations must continue to meet the criteria to retain their Blue Flag status
• Blue Flag Beaches: Over 4000 Blue Flag certified beaches across the world
  • Spain led with a total of 729 blue flag sites  followed by Greece.
  • India:  13 Blue Flag Beaches 
• On the lines of Blue Flag certification, India has also launched its own eco-label BEAMS 

About Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services (BEAMS)

• It comes under ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management) project.
• Launched by: Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• Objectives of BEAMS program are to:
  • Abate pollution in coastal waters,
  • Promote sustainable development of beach facilities,
  • Protect & conserve coastal ecosystems & natural resources,
  • Strive and maintain high standards of cleanliness,
  • Hygiene & safety for beachgoers in accordance with coastal environment & regulations.

About Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project

• AIM: To improve livelihood of coastal communities and conserve the coastal ecosystem.
• World Bank assisted project.
• National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai Provide scientific and technical inputs.
• The concept of ICZM was born in 1992 during the Earth Summit of Rio de Janeiro.