The long-pending beautification and development works for winning the prestigious Blue Flag certification have finally begun on the historic Kappad beach, where Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama landed in 1498. Tourism Department officials said the works commenced on Sunday after the place was shortlisted by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) for the coveted title.

The execution of the works will be completed by the Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) under the Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change. So far, 12 beaches across the country have been shortlisted for the certification. Kappad is the only beach selected from Kerala.

The district administration has handed over nearly one-kilometre stretch of the beach to the SICOM team for the project. Officials say SICOM will spend ₹8 crore in the first phase of the works.

Besides basic beautification works, there will be a jogging track, improved parking facilities, comfort station complex and cafeteria.

There will also be improved waste management systems, security arrangements for tourists, first-aid service, tourism information centre, and staff to explain the historical significance of the place to tourists.

Tourism Department officials say the Blue Flag title will help woo more foreign tourists to the beach. It will help in promoting the destination as the safest place for sea bath with no threat of pollution.

The guidance of local panchayats too have been sought to fast-track the works and win the support of local fishermen.

A local panchayat member said the project had got delayed for some months on a previously identified beach stretch because of protests by fishermen. The fishers had said that the project would hit their livelihood and freedom of movement in the area.

Ahead of launching the works, a number of field studies had been conducted in the area, including on the standard of hygiene and sanitation, by various government departments and SICOM.