Ganjam, Odisha: The stunning coast of Odisha has achieved international recognition once again, as the Golden Beach in Puri and Sonapur Beach in Ganjam have successfully earned the prestigious Blue Flag Certification for the 2025-26 period.
The certification is awarded by the Denmark-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), an international agency that recognizes beaches meeting stringent global standards in cleanliness, environmental sustainability, safety, and accessibility.
Consecutive International Recognition
The Golden Beach in Puri has now received the coveted award for the seventh time in a row, cementing its status as one of India’s most sustainably managed and safest beaches. Meanwhile, Sonapur Beach, located near the confluence of the Bahuda River and the Bay of Bengal, has earned the certification for the third consecutive year.
“Out of the 13 beaches across the country recognized for 2025-26, two are from Odisha. A Blue Flag beach is an eco-tourism model designed to provide tourists with clean and hygienic bathing facilities, a safe and healthy environment, and ensure sustainable development of the area,” said Sunny Khokkar, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Berhampur-cum-Nodal Officer of the Sonapur beach management committee.
Meeting Global Standards
The Blue Flag certification is renewed annually only after detailed inspections by national and international committees. Beaches must comply with 33 various criteria covering crucial areas such as:
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Water quality
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Environmental education
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Safety and security
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Waste management
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Cleanliness
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Eco-friendly infrastructure
Sonapur Beach, in particular, has been lauded for the active participation of local communities, making it a model for sustainable coastal tourism.
The 800-meter stretch of the Blue Flag certified Sonapur Beach includes specialized facilities managed by the Ganjam district beach management committee. These include specially-designed wheelchairs for differently-abled persons, a zero liquid waste discharge system, lifeguard towers, trained paramedic staff for first-aid, and CCTV surveillance to ensure safety.
