■ Blue Flag certification in 2020, a global recognition for beaches that maintain high standards of environmental protection

■ There are 12 Blue Flag -certified beaches in India

Metro India News | VISHAKAPATANAM

The steel city has added another feather to its cap. The Rushikonda Beach in Visakhapatnam was awarded Blue Flag certification for ensuring high standards of environmental protection, safety, cleanliness, and sustainable tourism practices. The Blue Flag certification ensures that the beach meets rigorous international standards in areas like waste management, water quality, and conservation efforts, providing a model for sustainable beach tourism.

Blue Flag Certification for the year 2024-2025 was granted to Rushikonda Beach in October 2024.The Blue Flag was officially awarded  to the Rushikonda by the Foundation  for Environment Education  -Denmark at Center for Environment Education  on 09th January 20205 at CEE campus , Thaltej Tekra , Ahmedabad , Gujarat by the National Operator  India to the official of Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority.

Domestic tourists and local tourists are visiting the beach with a monthly footfall of 70,000 to 1,00,000 during the season. A new parking facility is being created and 70 % of the work is completed by VMRDA, waste disposal is being taken care of by GVMC, Greenery is being developed by GVMC   and the police department has posted extra staff for crowd management.

APTDC is taking up work of constructing extra toilets and repair to walkways. Operator for maintenance is being on boarded by APTDC. All recommendations of the National Operator Blue Flag are expected to be completed shortly and Rushikonda Beach will be able to hoist the Blue Flag in the Month of March 2025.