Three Maharashtra beaches get first Blue Flag certification

Three beaches in Maharashtra, Ladghar and Guhagar in Ratnagiri district and Shrivardhan in Raigad district, have received the international Blue Flag certification for the 2026-27 season, the first time beaches from the state have secured the recognition. The International Blue Flag Jury announced the certification after the beaches met standards for environmental conservation, cleanliness, water quality, biodiversity protection, tourist safety, infrastructure and sustainable tourism management, according to the State Environment and Climate Change Department.

Across India, 22 beaches received Blue Flag recognition for the 2026-27 season, including 13 renewed certifications and nine new ones. Maharashtra accounts for three of the nine new additions. The Blue Flag season at the three beaches will begin on 15 November. The official flags are being brought from the Netherlands and will be handed over to the State Environment and Climate Change Department, with a flag-hoisting ceremony planned.

State Environment and Climate Change Minister Pankaja Munde called the certification global recognition of Maharashtra’s efforts in environmental conservation, cleanliness and sustainable tourism. Both sources report that coordinated efforts by the Environment and Climate Change Department, Tourism Department, district administrations, local bodies and communities led to the achievement.