Bhubaneswar: The state government will take steps to maintain cleanliness and develop infrastructure on the Chandrabhaga beach under the Blue Flag pilot project of the ministry of environment, forest and climate change.

The Society of Integrated Coastal Management under the ministry of environment, forest and climate change has planned to facilitate the blue flag certification process by developing the required infrastructure on the beach and maintain cleanliness and environment standards according to the certification criteria.

As a part of the process, government of Odisha through State Project Management Unit (SPMU) of Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) has planned an intensive beach cleaning drive from June 3 to 5 to generate awareness on coasts, importance of bio-diversity and civil responsibilities, environmental education and impact of pollution.

The volunteers for beach cleaning and awareness programme will join from relevant departments, associations, local stakeholders, fishermen community and students from schools and colleges. The selected beach is about a stretch of 1.115 km where the State Pollution Control Board, Odisha, has been engaged for sampling and estimation of bathing water quality according to the requirement.

Notified Area Council, Kon-ark, will be responsible for the day-to-day maintenance activities of the beach and the overall coordination of development work will be carried out by SPMU.

The Blue Flag criteria set up set by the Foundation for Environmental Education has stringent 33 criteria to be complied based on which a beach is certified.

"It will challenge local authorities and beach operators to achieve high standards in categories like water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety. The step will enhance tourist inflow to the state especially the foreign visitors," said tour operator Madhusmita Swain.