Six more beaches in Tamil Nadu to work on Blue Flag certification
The fund has been allocated under the Tamil Nadu Sustainable Harnessing Ocean Resources and Blue Economy (TN-SHORE)
Eco-friendly shelters and watchtowers are rising at Marina Beach as part of the Blue Flag project — a global certification for clean, safe, and sustainable beaches.
CHENNAI: Expanding the initiative to obtain Blue Flag certification for more beaches in the State, the Environment, Climate Change, and Forest Department will upgrade six beaches, including Tiruvanmiyur, Palavakkam, and Uthandi in the Chennai metropolitan area.
Besides the three beaches in and around the city, the department has chosen Kulasekarapattinam beach in Thoothukudi, Keezhputhupattu beach in Villupuram, and Samiyarpettai beach in Cuddalore, said the government order issued by Secretary Supriya Sahu, adding that the government would spend Rs 4 crore for each beach, working out to a total of Rs 24 crore.
To obtain Blue Flag certification, measures will be taken to ensure that these six beaches meet the 33 criteria, including marine water quality, environmental education, overall environmental management, and safety and services for tourists.
The fund has been allocated under the Tamil Nadu Sustainable Harnessing Ocean Resources and Blue Economy (TN-SHORE).
“As a globally recognised eco-label, the Blue Flag programme fosters collaboration between tourism and environmental sectors, promoting responsible beach tourism that aligns with conservation goals and supports sustainable coastal development,” she said in the order said.
The Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNSCZMA) has already granted nod to carry out the upgradation of Marina beach, Silver Beach in Cuddalore, Kameshwaram beach in Nagapattinam, and Ariyamaan beach in Ramanathapuram. Greater Chennai Corporation has completed the upgradation of Marina beach.
The Kovalam beach in Chengalpattu was the pilot beach in Tamil Nadu for Blue Flag certification programme and was implemented by the Union Ministry of Environment Forest, and Climate Change with support from the State government. The beach was certified as the blue beach from September 2021 onwards.
In another order, the department allocated Rs 96 lakh to establish a Marine Elite Force in Chennai to prevent illegal fishing and wildlife crimes in turtle and other marine species hotspots, particularly within five nautical miles from the coast.
