The Saint Martin Island Environment and Tourism Protection Committee has claimed that that there has been a humanitarian disaster due to rising poverty following the closure of tourism on the island.
The Committee disclosed this dire information at a view exchange meeting with journalists at the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) office at Paltan in the capital on Thursday.
E-TAB president Imranul Alam, tourism businessman Javed Iqbal, general secretary of Economic Reporters Forum Abul Kashem and former president former president of ATJFB Nadira Kiran were present in the exchange meeting.
The alliance chairman Shiblul Azam Qureshi presided over the meeting while general secretary Habibur Rahman modarete the event.
Shiblul Azam Qureshi said that the current government is implementing the laws enacted by the fallen fascist government, by erecting big buildings on the island, but in contrast it has been trying to destroy private tourism sector in the name of protection of environment.
He said, due to ban on the entry of tourists to the island, local people have become unemployed, an as a result they might be involved in many crimes for livelihood. As the tourists are barred from visiting the Island, the islanders have started felling trees for cash and fuel.
Habibur Rahman said:" If tourism is stopped on the island, the local forestry will be completely destroyed. Biodiversity will be protected only if the government makes strict laws. Tortoises cannot lay eggs there due to the presence of thousands of dogs. That's why we strongly demand the government to move the dogs elsewhere from the island.
He questioned how many trees has the government planted? Most of the existing trees on the island were planted by the private sector saying: "We are working to protect the island of Saint Martin and urge upon the government to protect the island and the tourism as well with pragmatic policies."
