Mypadu Beach Sets Sight on Eco-Friendly Blue Flag Global Certification
Situated about 25 kilometres from Nellore city, Mypadu has steadily grown into one of the district's most popular tourist attractions.
NELLORE: Mypadu Beach, the picturesque coastline in SPSR Nellore district, is on course to achieve the coveted Blue Flag Beach certification. This is an internationally recognised eco-label awarded to beaches that meet stringent standards of environmental management, cleanliness, visitor safety, sustainability, and quality infrastructure for tourists.
Situated about 25 kilometres from Nellore city, Mypadu has steadily grown into one of the district's most popular tourist attractions, drawing families, students, nature lovers, and visitors from across Andhra Pradesh throughout the year.
The proposed Blue Flag project covers a 500-metre stretch of the Mypadu beach, where state-of-the-art facilities will be created and environmentally sustainable practices adopted to turn the stretch into a clean, visitor-friendly, and safe destination.
The proposal mentions that the beach currently receives 150 to 200 visitors on weekdays, while footfalls rise to 550 to 800 visitors during weekends and holidays. During peak tourism season, nearly 1,000 visitors are estimated to visit the beach every day.
The annual Mypadu Beach Festival, held every January, has further boosted its popularity as a coastal tourism hotspot.
To meet the Blue Flag Beach standards, authorities will significantly upgrade visitor amenities by developing modern toilets, changing rooms, improved parking, scientific solid waste management systems, informative signage, better lighting, and other eco-friendly facilities. The proposal mentions regulated water sports as a future tourism opportunity, while ensuring environmental safeguards.
Safety is a key component of the Blue Flag project. A designated safe bathing zone has already been identified, with the Marine Police Station of Mypadu extending security support. Lifeguards, rescue services, emergency response systems, and continuous beach monitoring will be strengthened in line with the Blue Flag norms.
Importantly, the proposal underlines that there are no major polluting sources within the proposed Blue Flag stretch, which is the primary condition for securing the certification.
According to Nellore district tourism officer S.K. Ali Azgar, the certification places a strong emphasis on conserving Mypadu's fragile coastal ecosystem. Measures have been proposed to protect sand dunes and coastal vegetation, promote biodiversity, and encourage eco-education among visitors.
The initiative is expected to generate sustainable livelihood opportunities for local fishing communities, while increasing public participation in beach conservation efforts.
Ahead of the Blue Flag certification process, district administration will coordinate with various government departments to ensure compliance with Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms, secure necessary environmental clearances, and put in place long-term operation and maintenance mechanisms for the beach.
“Once the Blue Flag certification is secured, Mypadu Beach is expected to gain international recognition, significantly enhancing tourism in SPSR Nellore district. It will position the beach as one of India's leading examples of sustainable coastal development,” Ali Azgar said.
Apart from Mypadu, there are proposals to secure Blue Flag Beach certification for five other beaches in AP – Baruva in Srikakulam district, Hamsala Deevi in Krishna, Ramapuram and Surya Lanka in Bapatla, Perupalem in West Godavari district.
