Puri: The Golden Beach at Puri was formally accorded the prestigious ‘Blue Flag’ tag on Monday with the unfurling of the Blue Flag and the Tricolour on the beach.
The Union Minister of Forest and Environment, Prakash Javadekar flagged off the programme over virtual mode, announcing Blue Flag tag formally to the Golden Beach. Odisha’s Tourism and Culture Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi unfurled the flag at the beach.
"Odisha has a special identity for Puri and its pristine beach. I express my sincere gratitude to the Union Minister for taking part in the programme. Our efforts to keep the beach clean will continue. I must thank the residents of Puri for their efforts in keeping the beach beautiful. Measures have been taken to make the Puri beach world class in order to attract more tourists from overseas destinations", Panigrahi said.
Besides Puri, seven other beaches in the country have also been granted the distinguished eco-tag.
Based on its cleanliness, eco-friendly environment and sustainable tourists-friendly amenities, the Copenhagen-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) had granted the prestigious tag to the Golden Beach among others.
The Odisha government has pinned hopes that the recognition would give significant boost to tourism in the State.
The 870-metre stretch from Digabareni to Hotel Mayfair, which has been given the coveted tag, was re-developed under the World Bank funded Integrated Coastal Management Project (ICZMP) for the recognition.
The Blue Flag certification is a highly prestigious global recognition that helps increase tourist footfall from foreign countries.
Earlier, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had expressed pleasure over the renowned eco-label granted to the Golden beach.
In a tweet, the CM had said that the prestigious tag will add to the charm of the World Heritage City, Puri.
Similarly, Pradhan had also tweeted that the distinguished tag will further add to the glory of the pristine beach and give impetus to sustainable beach tourism in Odisha.