Measures will be taken to limit the number of tourists and restrict overnight stays on St Martin's Island, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Syeda Rizwana Hasan said on Monday.
Single-use plastic on the island will also be banned on the island, the adviser came up with the announcement at a press briefing held at the Secretariat on eco-friendly tourism management and the conservation of biodiversity at St. Martin’s island.
The adviser mentioned that initiatives are being taken to make St. Martin’s, Cox’s Bazar, and Kuakata free from single-use plastics.
Highlighting the uniqueness of St. Martin’s as the only coral island, she emphasized on taking decisive steps to preserve it.
Adviser Rizwana urged all to comply with previous guidelines regarding the ban on single-use plastics.
Discussions will be held with hotel owners, tour operators, and the Ministry of Tourism to finalize decisions in this regard before the upcoming tourist season.
Rizwana has expressed her desire to preserve St Martin’s for future generations and to see it become a tranquil, noise-free island.
The environment secretary, additional secretaries, director general of the Department Of Environment, were present, among others.