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The Sonapur Blue Flag beach, located 30 km from Berhampur in Ganjam district, has been temporarily closed to tourists for annual maintenance.
According to The Times of India, the shutdown began a week ago and aims to preserve the beach’s international Blue Flag certification and enhance visitor facilities.
Officials confirmed the closure will continue until upkeep work concludes, after which the Vana Surakshya Samiti (VSS) will resume operations.
The reports cited Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sunny Khokkar, who stated that maintenance is critical to retaining the beach’s eco-label status and improving amenities ahead of peak tourist seasons, with this May-June window timing aligning with reduced footfall due to extreme summer heat.
Why Maintenance Matters
Sonapur beach, spanning 800 meters along the Bahuda River’s confluence with the Bay of Bengal, earned Blue Flag certification in 2023 for meeting 33 strict environmental, safety, and accessibility standards.
Facilities include wheelchair access, zero liquid waste systems, lifeguard towers, solar lighting, CCTV surveillance, first-aid stations, and bamboo-built structures to avoid permanent coastal damage.
The certification, awarded by Denmark’s Foundation for Environment Education, recognises sustainable tourism efforts. Authorities emphasised that annual upkeep ensures compliance with these global benchmarks.
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Sonapur’s Blue Flag Journey
Becoming Odisha’s second Blue Flag beach after Puri’s Golden Beach, the journey for the same came after a three-year renovation under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP).
During this phase, the district beach management committee, ICZMP-Odisha, and local communities collaborated to achieve this status. Notably, their efforts focused on maintaining water quality, biodiversity conservation, and community engagement.
Authorities are optimistic that post-maintenance, improved facilities and marketing will attract more visitors, boosting local economies and reinforcing Odisha’s coastal conservation efforts.
As of the latest reports, the beach will reopen after maintenance, with a confirmed date to be announced in due time.
