The Puri-Konark Marine Drive is famous for connecting two major tourist destinations. This 35 km coastal highway offers breathtaking views of the Bay of Bengal and attracts many visitors for scenic drives. Now, authorities have decided to declare it a ‘Zero Waste’ zone for several reasons. Scroll down to know more about this in detail.
What Is The Puri-Konark Marine Drive?
The Puri-Konark Marine Drive in Odisha connects the spiritual Puri to the iconic Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 35 km coastal highway is popular among travellers for offering stunning beach views. According to The New Indian Express, the drive will soon be transformed into a ‘Zero Waste’ zone. Authorities are taking this decision to protect the coastal ecosystem and enhance the visitor experience.
The drive, spanning around 30 km along the Bay of Bengal, attracts millions of domestic and international tourists every year. Forest department officials shared with The New Indian Express that a major portion of the road passes through the Konark-Balukhand Wildlife Sanctuary and its eco-sensitive zone. Officials will implement a blanket ban on dumping plastic and other waste to protect wildlife.
Also Read: Odisha To Sponsor Puri Jagannath Temple Darshan For Poor Devotees, Making Devotion Inclusive
Why is Waste Management Needed?
Tourism has surged in recent years, increasing environmental pressure and unmanaged waste. Single-use plastics and other trash threaten the coastal zone. According to The New Indian Express, the waste has impacted the local ecosystem and the feeding patterns of wildlife in the Konark-Balukhand Sanctuary.
To handle this, the Puri Wildlife Division has introduced the ‘Swachh Samudra Corridor’ project. End-to-end sanitation and solid waste management will be implemented, with a total ban on plastic and other waste. Violators will face fines. A responsible agency will soon be finalised after the RFP process. Authorities plan to roll out the project from April at an estimated cost of around ₹11 crore.
Also Read: French President Macron Goes Jogging At Marine Drive In Mumbai, Surprises Morning Joggers
What do you think of the new Zero Waste initiative for Puri-Konark Marine Drive? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Cover Image Courtesy: @ColoursOfBharat/X
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