The state government is pursuing the prestigious Blue Flag eco-certification, almost seven years after its attempt to secure it for Miramar Beach failed miserably due to public outcry and a battle in the High Court. This time, it has identified Mandrem in North Goa and Galgibag in the south as potential sites, seemingly hoping that quieter, less urbanised beaches will face less resistance.
However, simply shifting the focus from one coastline to another does not address the fundamental issues that derailed the Miramar project. It appears lessons from the past have not been learned. Earlier, the government had toyed with the idea of upgrading other popular stretches, including Agonda, Palolem, Benaulim, Baina, Morjim, Velsao, Calangute, and Vagator. By selecting beaches without first securing local support, the government risks repeating the very mistakes that led to the earlier failure.
The appeal of Blue Flag certification, awarded by the Denmark-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), is widely regarded as one of the highest standards in sustainable coastal tourism. The certification requires compliance with 33 rigorous criteria covering water quality, environmental management, safety, and public awareness. India has multiple beaches that have achieved this certification, including Shivrajpur Beach (Gujarat), Golden Beach (Odisha), Radhanagar Beach (Andaman & Nicobar) and Kovalam Beach (Kerala)
For a state whose economy is driven by tourism, international recognition could undoubtedly enhance Goa’s global reputation. But the issue here is that Goa is currently seized with its environment and ecology, and every development is being scanned and questioned through a microscopic lens.
We saw the tussle at Miramar between 2019 and 2021. Traditional fishing communities mounted a determined legal challenge, arguing that the proposed infrastructure and exclusive swimming zones would disrupt their livelihoods and limit their access to the beach. Their concerns ultimately found support in the courts, which stayed and struck down parts of the project. At the heart of the dispute was a controversial 2019 amendment by the Union government that relaxed Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms, allowing facilities such as toilet blocks, changing rooms, and waste-management units to be built as close as 10 metres from the High Tide Line.
Now, by turning its attention to Mandrem and Galgibag, the government is entering areas that are environmentally sensitive. Galgibag is a known nesting ground for the endangered Olive Ridley turtle, while Mandrem is known for its fragile sand dunes. Introducing infrastructure in or around such landscapes raises questions about the balance between conservation and tourism. Fears of gradual privatisation, restricted access to beaches, possible entry fees, and limitations on traditional practices such as Ganesh Visarjan will continue to fuel public scepticism.
What is baffling is the fact that there has been no public engagement. Sustainable development cannot be achieved through decisions made behind closed doors. Before advancing any nomination, the government must invest in a transparent and comprehensive awareness campaign that clearly explains what Blue Flag certification involves, how it could benefit local communities, and what safeguards will be put in place to protect traditional rights and access. These discussions must be initiated at gram sabhas, and village panchayats should be active participants in the decision-making process, not institutions consulted only after key decisions have already been taken.
If the government wants a Blue Flag success story, it must develop a model that allows ecological protection, tourism infrastructure and traditional livelihoods to coexist. It needs to move away from the culture of imposing projects and embrace public involvement; citizens will always raise red flags to the Blue Flag idea.
