Saint Martin Island: New opportunities and strict rules for tourists
The coral-rich St. Martin's Island in the middle of the Bay of Bengal is reopening to tourists from November 1. After a 9-month closure, tourists will have the opportunity to visit the island again. However, 12 strict guidelines from the government will have to be followed to protect the environment. A maximum of 2,000 tourists will be allowed to enter the island per day.
Travel Schedule and Rules
Daytime travel only in November: Overnight stays will not be allowed.
Overnight stays in December and January: Tourists will have the opportunity to stay overnight during these two months.
Completely closed in February: Entry of tourists will be completely prohibited.
Online tickets are mandatory.: Tickets must be purchased through the Bangladesh Tourism Board's web portal. Each ticket will have a travel pass and QR code. Tickets without a QR code will be considered fake.
Vessel control: No vessel will be allowed to operate without the approval of BIWTA and the ministry.
Strict restrictions to protect the environment
The government has issued strict rules to protect the natural environment and biodiversity:
Prohibited activities: Lighting lights on the beach at night, creating noise, having barbecue parties, entering the keya forest, collecting or selling keya fruits, harming sea turtles, birds, coral, king crabs, snails and oysters.
Vehicles prohibited: The use of motorcycles, sea bikes, or other motorized vehicles on the beach is completely prohibited.
Ban on plastic use: Carrying polythene is prohibited. Use of single-use plastics (e.g. chips packets, plastic spoons, straws, small plastic bottles) is discouraged. Tourists are advised to carry their own water flasks.
Environmental improvement and biodiversity
The closure of tourist entry for the past 9 months has led to positive changes in the biodiversity of Saint Martin. According to the Department of Environment, 1,076 species of coral, algae, turtles, snails, oysters, marine fish, birds and crabs have been reproduced on the island. The presence of snails, oysters and red crabs on the beach has increased, and the environment for mother turtles to lay their eggs has improved. The movement of animals such as frogs, snakes, lizards and butterflies has increased in the parabona.
Shipping and tourism
Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md. Abdul Mannan said that due to security reasons, tourist ships will now travel from Cox's Bazar city to St. Martin instead of Teknaf. Hossain Islam, General Secretary of the Sea Cruise Operator Owners Association, said that the ships will start operating in the first week of November if BIWTA approves. About 120,000 tourists visited the island in the last three months of the season.
Challenges and local concerns
Hotel, restaurant and shop owners on the island have expressed fears that they will face losses due to the lack of overnight accommodation in November. Noor Mohammad, vice-president of the St. Martin Shop Owners Association, said that 60-70 shops have already closed. Shiblul Azam Qureshi, president of the Hotel-Resort Owners Association, said that in addition to protecting the environment, it is also necessary to consider the livelihood of the locals. He demanded that the five-month overnight accommodation be restored.
Government initiative
The Department of Environment said that projects worth hundreds of crores of taka are underway on the island, including resolving the drinking water crisis, waste management, afforestation, biodiversity conservation and construction of a new jetty. A project worth 89 million taka is also being implemented called the 'St. Martin's Biodiversity and Climate Change Adaptation Project'. It is expected that these projects, if completed by December, will improve the environment and quality of life on the island.
St. Martin Island is a natural paradise for tourists. However, everyone must play a responsible role in protecting its biodiversity and environment. By raising awareness among tourists and following government guidelines, it is possible to keep the beauty and environment of this island intact for a long time.
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