The Blue Flag certification is awarded by the Denmark-based non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education to beach, marina or sustainable boating tourism operators. It is given based on stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access-related criteria. The Blue Flag Programme was initiated in France in 1985. Currently, 47 countries are participating in this programme.
The state government of Tamil Nadu is looking to get the Blue Flag certification for the Marina and nine other beaches in the state. To achieve this objective, the government will be spending Rs.100 crore over the next five years.