Chandrabagha Beach

Chandrabagha Beach, located near Konark in Odisha, is famous for its pristine beauty and proximity to the Sun Temple of Konark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In 2018, it became the first beach in Asia to receive the Blue Flag certification, an international recognition for maintaining high standards of environmental management, cleanliness, and safety. The Blue Flag certification is an eco-label awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), based in Denmark. It is given to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators that meet 33 stringent criteria across four main categories — environmental education, water quality, environmental management, and safety services.

To earn this tag, a beach must ensure clean bathing water, proper waste disposal, lifeguard services, eco-friendly facilities, and awareness programs for visitors. Chandrabagha Beach’s achievement highlighted India’s commitment to sustainable tourism and coastal conservation. Today, the Blue Flag status symbolizes global recognition of eco-friendly and safe tourism, encouraging more Indian beaches to follow similar sustainable practices.