Can Chennai's Blue Flag beaches be truly sustainable?

Chennai’s iconic Marina Beach is undergoing a major eco upgrade in a bid to earn the prestigious Blue Flag certification — an international label for beaches that meet high standards of cleanliness and other criteria. While some locals welcome improved access and child-friendly amenities, fishers fear displacement, citing past losses at Kovalam Beach. Conservationists are skeptical about Kovalam’s eco-friendly claims and warn that water quality data in Chennai is not transparent enough to warrant a blue flag. They argue that true coastal sustainability must include fishing communities.