Puri: Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ashwini Kumar Choubey on Thursday said all steps will be taken to ensure that the Golden Beach of Puri continues to keep the Blue Flag status.
Speaking at the 75th ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ organised here, the minister said the state government has been instructed to follow Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules strictly.
He further said cleanliness drive will be undertaken to keep the beach free of plastic and garbage. Besides, encroached structures on the beach will be demolished in the beautification drive.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi said, “It is our responsibility to maintain cleanliness on the sea beach so that it can be pride of India and an attraction in world tourism map.”
Choubey also participated in a casuarina plantation programme on the beach. The minister, who is on a two-day visit to the state, will return to Bhubaneswar at 4.30 pm after having darshan of Lord Jagannath in Puri.
It may be noted that the Foundation for Environment Education in Denmark (FEE) had accorded the globally recognised eco-label, Blue Flag certification, to 8 beaches in the country including Golden Beach in Puri last year.
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