Maharashtra Beaches Secure First-Ever International Blue Flag Certification

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Key takeaways

Three beaches in Maharashtra (Ladghar, Guhagar, and Shrivardhan) have received the prestigious Blue Flag certification for 2026-27 for the first time.
With this addition, India's total tally of Blue Flag-certified beaches has expanded to 22, which includes 9 newly added coastal locations.
The global eco-label is managed by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) located in Copenhagen, Denmark.
In India, beach infrastructure upgrades for this eco-label are supported by the BEAMS program under the MoEFCC.

Three beaches in Maharashtra have earned the international Blue Flag certification for the 2026-27 season.
The newly certified coastal sites include Ladghar and Guhagar in Ratnagiri district along with Shrivardhan in Raigad district.
This achievement marks the first time any beach in Maharashtra has entered this globally recognized eco-label program.
India now has a total of 22 Blue Flag-certified beaches for 2026-27, comprising 13 renewed certifications and 9 new certifications.
To earn this tag, these beaches fulfilled strict international standards covering bathing water quality, safety, clean surroundings, and environmental conservation.

The Blue Flag is a voluntary international eco-label given to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boat tourism operators.
The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), a global non-profit body based in Copenhagen, Denmark, manages this certification.
An International Blue Flag Jury evaluates each candidate site before granting the final approval.
The certification framework rests on four core pillars: environmental education, bathing water quality, environmental management, and safety services.
Environmental education focuses on creating public awareness through informational displays and nature-focused activities.
Water quality requires strict compliance with international testing standards for safe swimming.
Environmental management covers proper waste treatment, clean toilets, and protection of fragile coastal ecosystems.
Safety and services demand trained lifeguards, emergency action plans, clear access paths, and reliable tourist amenities.
The certification remains valid for a specific season only, and sites must continuously meet all criteria to retain it.
In India, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) runs the BEAMS program under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) framework to help beaches reach these global standards.