Ministry of Environment, Bangladesh, to make St. Martin waste-free
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), Bangladesh, is collaborating with the Bangladesh Sustainability Alliance to protect St. Martin Island’s environment and ecosystem.
This information was given in a press release of the C on December 8.
The press release mentioned that multiple meetings took place with the Bangladesh Sustainability Alliance, chaired by Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry.
The meeting agreed to implement a phased ban on single-use plastic on St. Martin Island and to set up an effective waste management system.
The ministry has decided to implement a multi-stakeholder model in phases, involving local residents, businesses, and fishermen from the island. BRAC, Unilever Bangladesh and PRAN-RFL Group will work as members of the Bangladesh Sustainability Alliance.
Awareness activities will be conducted on the island to engage youth in cleanliness drives and educate locals about plastic pollution.
Circular economy concepts will be implemented through waste reduction and proper management of collected waste. The zero-waste concept aims to enhance the current waste collection, sorting, and processing system on the island.
A specific action plan will be created with input from local residents, including hotel and transport workers. In addition, an advisory committee will be formed with representatives of government and non-government organizations.
A collaboration center will be established to facilitate dialogue, experience sharing and coordinated action among stakeholders for an effective SUP management for sustainable management. This center will serve as a platform for planning, monitoring and promoting sustainable practices.
This initiative will play an important role in protecting the environment of St. Martin’s Island. The joint efforts of local residents, hotel workers, fishermen, tourists, boatmen, government and private organizations will make the project successful. After being successful in St. Martin, this program will be implemented in Cox’s Bazar.
On December 3, 2024, Dr. Fahmida Khanam, Additional Secretary (Environment) of MOEFCC, Bangladesh, led a delegation to Cox’s Bazar to observe government efforts for eco-friendly tourism in St. Martin.
