Blue Flags won back on Zakynthos
The Municipality of Zakynthos tried to get Blue Flags for our island again and succeeded. It has received a positive answer fir the National Crisis Committee for the coasts that had submitted files in order to be approved by the specific program. More Specifically the beaches of Alykes, Alykanas, Agios Sostis, Bouka -Planos, Laganas, and Markis Gialos. All but Agios Sostis beach were approved.
“We received offical reply and out of the 6 beaches we submitted, five were approved. The application for Agios Sostis was rejected. The reason given was that members of the Committee expressed their concern for the safety of the coast due to the many illegal interventions that existed in the past in the area and due to the existance of many boats near the coast.” Said the Deputy Mayor of Laganas, Babis Varvarigos. He also noted that this will be organised normally this year in order to have the opportunity to obtain a Blue Flag next year.
For here, as for the other coasts, there will be a three member committee organised to supervise the area in order that they are fully prepared for the tourist season. The rest of the beaches will be organised exactly as provided by the program and the members of the committee of each coast in cooperation with the Service of the Municipality will take care of the proper operation during the tourist season.
The Deputy Mayor also stated that it was a good start. ” I think it is a good start after what has happened in the past that led to the loss of all these flags. We will do everything in our power so that in the summer season of 2022 we have as many flags as possible”
The Department of Environment of the Municipality of Zakynthos is responsible for the Blue Flags. And is the one, who in collaboration with the Deputy Mayors of Laganas, Alykes, Alykanas and Elatia as well as the presidents of the local communities set up local committees so that this year there is more protection and control of the beaches.
Last year was a very bad year for our island. As it only had one flag at the Eleon Grand Resort in Tragaki. While in the same year Kefalonia had 15 flags, Corfu 10, Lefkada 7 and Ithaca 1. In 2019 Zakynthos did not have any Blue flags. While in 2018 and 2017 it had 18 and in 2016 it had 15 Blue Flags on its beaches.
Full report https://www.imerazante.gr/2021/04/16/257232