Residents and tourism businesses on St Martin’s Island have welcomed the government’s initiative to reconsider tourism restrictions, particularly the possibility of extending the permitted overnight stay for tourists.
They see a relaxation of the restrictions as an opportunity to recover from prolonged financial difficulties caused by reduced tourist arrivals. At the same time, local people have called for effective measures to protect the island’s fragile environment and biodiversity.
In a recent interview with BanglaVision, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam indicated that the existing tourism restrictions on St Martin’s could be reconsidered. He said many of the island residents’ demands were reasonable and that some restrictions, including those on overnight stays, could be reviewed before the tourism season begins.
The government’s position has brought some relief to island residents, who say successive restrictions have significantly affected their livelihoods in recent years.
Osman Gani, a resident and teacher on the island, said, “People on our island have been facing various problems because of the restrictions. For two years, we faced financial difficulties due to restrictions on tourist arrivals and overnight stays. We are still struggling financially. If the government relaxes the restrictions, it will be a blessing for us.”
Azizul Haque, another resident, welcomed the government’s initiative but stressed the need to consider environmental concerns alongside tourism.
“We welcome such a decision, but the environment must also receive due importance,” he said, calling for effective government measures to protect the island’s ecology and biodiversity.
Hossainul Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operator Owners Association of Bangladesh (SCOAB), also described the initiative as positive.
“We certainly see the matter positively. We thank the government for understanding the emotions, demands and realities of St Martin’s residents and other stakeholders. However, we expect the decision to be implemented quickly,” he said.
Residents and tourism businesses said tourism on St Martin’s should not necessarily be halted but managed in a way that balances tourism with environmental protection.
They said that alongside regulating tourist numbers and overnight stays, greater attention should be given to waste management, water supply, sanitation, vessel operations and the island’s carrying capacity.
Environmental concerns, however, remain significant. Various national and international studies have documented rich marine biodiversity around St Martin’s. The waters surrounding the island support different species of coral, mollusks, seaweed, seagrass and fish. The island is also known as an important habitat and breeding ground for various bird species and marine turtles.
The government declared St Martin’s an Ecologically Critical Area in 1999 amid growing pressure on its environment and biodiversity from unregulated tourism. Later, the government brought the surrounding marine area under a Marine Protected Area.
As environmental and tourism pressures continued, the government issued a gazette in October 2025 limiting the number of tourists and restricting overnight stays to December and January.
Residents say they do not dispute the need to protect the environment. However, they want practical, balanced measures that protect livelihoods while keeping tourism businesses operational.
They hope the government will strengthen its capacity and monitoring systems so that tourism can continue without placing additional pressure on the island’s fragile ecosystem.
State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam has also said that St Martin’s can be protected while keeping tourism operational. According to him, this will require stronger government capacity, accountability and transparency, as well as a greater sense of environmental responsibility among all stakeholders.
Against this backdrop, residents and tourism businesses hope any new decision will help revive livelihoods and tourism on the island while ensuring effective measures to protect its environment and biodiversity.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
