Six types of activities to preserve the environment and ecosystem are banned in beautiful Saint Martin bangladesh
Zeba Tarannum
The government of Bangladesh has taken various initiatives to protect the environment and ecosystem and has already taken steps to implement it. This time, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change banned tourists from visiting the Chera Dwip of St. Martin island to protect the environment.
Besides, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has ordered the closure of six activities in St. Martin’s Island bangladesh to protect the environment. These instructions have given in a circular issued by the Ministry on 12th October 2020.
From November, usually, the tourist traffic to St. Martin’s Island increases. A circular has issued in this regard. The Coast Guard has entrusted with implementing the guidelines.
According to the Department of the Environment, there are still some marine corals alive at Chera Dwip in St. Martin Bangladesh. These decisions have taken to preserve the corals.
When asked about this, A K M Rafiq Ahmed, Director General of the Department of Environment, told the Prothom Alo, ‘We will take all kinds of initiatives to protect St. Martin in phrase a gradual manner.
Initially we will stop these activities there through the Coast Guard. In addition, the activities we are carrying out to protect the biodiversity and environment of the island will be further strengthened.’
As per the instructions of the Ministry, from now on, no motorized vehicles such as motorcycles and motorized vehicles will be allowed on St. Martin’s beach. No lights or fires can lit there at night. No noise or loud music can arrange at night.
Ships travelling from Teknaf to St. Martin BD may not carry more passengers than the permitted number of passengers. The transportation and access of unauthorized construction materials to St. Martin will stop. The use of environmental pollutants such as polythene and plastic bottles will be limited.
The cooperation of the Coast Guard has sought in the implementation of the decision. According to the circular, the Coast Guard has empowered by the Bangladesh Environmental Protection Act, 1995 to stop activities that destroy the environment and surroundings on St. Martin island bangladesh.
Environmentalists say the island is facing severe destruction due to uncontrolled activities by tourists. The biodiversity and forests of the only coral island in the country are severely polluted. As a result, tourists should also ban from travelling to St. Martin, not only Chera Dwip.
When asked about this, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Chief Executive of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), told the Prothom Alo, ‘I have heard several times before about the initiatives to stop such activities on St. Martin. Although some actions have taken to show the public later, they haven’t continued.
As a result, the island apprehended to destroy in the last 20-25 years. If Thailand could ban tourists from visiting a money-making island like Phuket for two years, then why can’t we can’t do it in St. Martin BD for a year.
Therefore, realistic steps should be taken to protect the St. Martin’s Island, not for any public show off’ Therefore, real steps should be taken to protect the island, not for any public show off.
