After a nine-month hiatus, Saint Martin’s Island will reopen to visitors tomorrow, with a rigorous daily cap of 2,000 visitors to protect its delicate biodiversity and ecosystem, reports BSS.
In order to guarantee ethical and environmentally friendly tourism, the government has issued twelve directives.
To protect the island’s biodiversity, the 12 government orders would be rigorously followed, according to Md. Shahidul Alam, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Cox’s Bazar.
He stated that in order to increase safety, passenger ships will no longer travel from Teknaf to Saint Martin’s Island, but instead will leave from Cox’s Bazar city and cross the Bay of Bengal.
Since February 1st of this year, the coral-rich island has been closed to the public. Activities related to tourism will be allowed from November to January.
The Department of Environment (DoE) claims that the island’s biodiversity and environmental health have improved as a result of the temporary closure.
Saint Martin’s Island, which is home to 1,076 known species, has experienced ecological stress as a result of pollution, overcrowding, and uncontrolled infrastructure development.
The new rules, according to the authorities, should assist protect the island’s natural history while permitting moderate tourism.
According to locals, in the past, easybikes (e-rickshaws) and motorbikes on the beach killed a variety of marine animals, including clams and snails, during busy times. These species have been able to procreate over the past nine months due to the lack of tourists. Additionally, the collection of algae and coral has been halted.
According to Youth ecosystem Society (YES) Cox’s Bazar Chairman and advocate Mujibul Haque, the island’s ecosystem has greatly improved over the first nine months of restricted tourist. He stated that mother turtle nesting places have grown and that red crabs and other marine creatures are now reproducing along the beaches.
According to Mohibul Islam, deputy director of the Bangladesh Tourism Board, travelers must buy their tickets online via the Board’s official website.
“Adequate arrangements have been made to enforce these rules,” he added, adding that each ticket will contain a travel pass and QR code, and that tickets lacking them will be considered fraudulent.
The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change issued orders on October 22 that will be fully enforced to safeguard the island’s biodiversity and environment, according to Md. Jamir Uddin, director of the DoE Cox’s Bazar office.
The 12 directives’ main points are as follows: No overnight stays will be permitted in November; only authorized vessels approved by the Ministry and the BIWTA may operate; motorized vehicle use on the beach is strictly prohibited; damaging wildlife, coral, or marine species is strictly prohibited; carrying single-use plastics is discouraged; and daily tourist numbers will be strictly controlled. February will remain closed. It is recommended that visitors bring their own water flasks.
By taking these steps, the government seeks to protect Saint Martin’s delicate ecosystem and promote ethical and environmentally conscious travel.
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