Back from Saint Martin: Saint Martin is the only coral island of the country where local and foreign tourists are caught in the maze of its extraordinary beauty. Whenever any body hears the name of St. Martins he will be in sight to behold, with transparent blue waters, crabs, rocky beaches, corals, algae and all the wonderful biodiversity admixtures. But at present the environmental risks of the island have become a major threat. As a result, frustration prevails in Saint Martin's inhabitants.
Environmentalists say, nails and plastic chips packets on the beach, pickles packets, polythene, cans, tea cups, bottles, water bottles, water glasses, plates, dab water straws, food packets, broken glasses or saddles, fishing nets, nylon ropes. The wastes are polluting the island with various wastes. Causing the island to become in extreme threat ecologically. They also believe that uncontrolled tourism will bring very bad news to the island.
Strict enforcement of Environmentally Critical Area(ECA) imposing 9 points in the ECA, ban the use of plastic on the island, regulate all tourist and tourism related activities, regulate and determine the behavior of tourists, prohibit tourists in Cheradweep, permanent waste management on the island, ensuring safe drinking water source on the island, environmental clearance apart from stopping the construction of hotels and resorts, environmentalist organizations are making various suggestions, including creating policies for the protection of the livelihoods, biodiversity in the islands.
It is learned that on April 19 of 1999, the Ministry of Environment and Forests declared five areas of the country, including St. Martin, Cox's Bazaar and Teknaf beaches, to be the most vulnerable areas. Despite being a hazardous area (ECA), free movement of tourists, building one after the other without compromising the ecological balance of the island, as well as destroying the island, has caused devastating environmental problems, including destroying the environment. All types of infrastructure construction, soil changes, biodiversity destruction, wildlife hunting, snails, oysters, coral, algae, stone collection and supply are declared prohibited, but none are allowed. Already, hundreds of hotels and motels have been constructed in St. Martins Island in violation of the law.
According to the data provided by the Cox's Bazaar Environment and Fisheries Department, the island has 153 species of marine algae, 157 species of aquatic plants, 66 species of coral, 157-158 species of snail, 240 species of fish and 120 species of birds. Four species of amphibious creature and 29 species of serpentines. The bird on the clear waters of the island, various species of coral, algae, snail-oyster and numerous species of fish can be seen on the pile of rocks. The sea turtle is famous for being the site of the eggs of the sea turtles and the olive colored sea tortoises. During the raft, various species of corals are seen around the island.
Rashedul Majid, chief executive of Environment People's Environmental Organization, told barta24.com that each island has a specific capacity to carry the load. At present, the population of the island has grown to about 10,000. Besides, the tourist come on the island every day during the monsoon season, with around 8-10,000. Which is several times greater than the carrying capacity.
He also said that the influential are illegally building permanent structures, destroying the island’s environment. In the meantime, more than a hundred structures have been constructed on the island. In some hotels and motels, the screw-pine bush which protects the island from sea erosion is being cut off so that the tourists can watch the sea lying on hotel bed. It has also become a major threat to the island's survival.
Cox's Bazar deputy director of the environment department, Sheikh Mohammed Nazmul Huda, told barta24.com that St. Martins is not only an island rich in biodiversity, it is also one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the country. Therefore, clear policy is needed to protect the island.
He also said that the maximum number of hotels, motels, cottages or paved buildings could be built in line with the island's carrying capacity, where construction would be in line with the ecology of the island, how much tourists could come to the island daily, how to control the tourism system how to protect the island's biodiversity, how people will live here These policies should be clearly spelled out on what will have to be done. He said Saint Martins would face a catastrophic disaster if any urgent necessary steps are not taken, he added.
It should be noted that environmentalists have been raising awareness on various issues to create awareness among tourists visiting the island at different times. But the island is still under severe threat due to no policy decisions.