Climate Crisis | Signs Ominous As Sea Drives Into Konark Marine Drive

Chandrabhaga Beach located in Konark offers some stunning sunrises and sunsets.

The coast along Konark from Ramchandi shrine to Chandrabhaga is a tourist hotspot. Apart from its religious significance, it boasts of a scenic beach, which is flanked by a beautiful strip of asphalt known as the Marine Drive. However, this marine drive is facing the worst impacts of global climate crisis.

Recently, it has been observed that due to rise in sea level the sand wall and the casuarina plantations, which lend the beach its beauty, are vanishing into the sea. Locals believe that the consequences are going to be severe if steps are not taken as the waves now directly hit the marine drive road.

Meanwhile, Collector of Puri, Samarth Verma said that the government is working on a study and a specific plan to deal with coastal erosion of Chandrabhaga Beach. According to the Collector, steps will be taken to strengthen the coastline. While Odisha government is taking steps to increase tourism potential of the state, erosion of Chandrabhaga beach has triggered concerns.

Chandrabhaga is not just a tourism destination, but part of a larger ecosystem that is calling for immediate attention.