#BlueFlag tag set to make Golden beach in Puri a paradise for tourists

The Golden Beach in Puri is now a Blue Flag beach. It earned the prestigious certification, awarded by Foundation for Environmental Education headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, along with seven other beaches across India last Sunday in the very first attempt.

After all, earning a Blue Flag certification isn’t easy. The tag is given only to beaches that not only practice but also promise to maintain high standards of cleanliness, has a sustainable and environment-friendly approach to its day-to-day management of tourists and resources etc, over and above being involved in creating overall awareness about conservation.

The 800-metre long Golden beach near the Panthaniwas is now environment friendly, kept clean and has safety features for tourists who want to enjoy a day out beside the sea.It has restrooms, better toilet facilities and has decorated pathways for people to roam about. There’s also a children’s park, open-air gym and sea viewpoints where people can sit and enjoy the sea, the breeze and the beach.
“The Blue Flag tag for this beach will definitely increase its tourism potential. An international tag this prestigious will attract more people. It’s now among very few beaches across the world that’s environment-friendly, hygienic and is safe for tourists. It has been developed in a planned manner and will definitely give tourism in Puri as well as the state a boost,” said Vishal Deb, commissioner-cum-secretary, Odisha Tourism.

According to tourism department officials, the process of applying for Blue Flag tag had started in 2018. The Integrated Coastal Zone Management project of Odisha Forest and Environment Department developed the beach to get the certification. As many as 33 stringent criteria were met by the beach for the jury of FEE to award the certification.

The district officials said the international certification will definitely attract more tourists to this clean, green and safe beach. “We have been noticing many local tourists are coming here and enjoying all the facilities. In the coming days, more tourists from outside the state and country will visit this beach and enjoy its uniqueness,” said Shashank Rath, tourist officer, Puri, adding that this beach is also disabled friendly. “There are wheelchairs for disabled people and they can access the pathways to go near the beach and enjoy all the amenities,” he said.


It is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators. In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained. The Blue Flag programme for beaches is run by the international, non-governmental and non-profit organisation FEE. This programme promotes sustainable development in freshwater and marine areas. It challenges local authorities and beach operators to achieve high standards in the four categories of: water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety.
Golden beach amenities
*Clean washrooms and restrooms
*Children’s park
*Sea view facilities
*Dustbins at regular intervals
*Fenced premises
*Open-air gym
*Enough lifeguards
*Hawker-free zone


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Photos by Sarat Patra and District administration, Puri