To safeguard the environment and ecosystem of Saint Martin’s Island, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has initiated a collaborative effort to reduce plastic usage on the island, with support from the Bangladesh Sustainability Alliance.
The ministry advisor, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, led several meetings with the Alliance, outlining a plan to gradually ban single-use plastics and establish an effective waste management system.
The initiative will adopt a multi-stakeholder model, ensuring participation from residents, business owners, and fishermen through government and private sector partnerships. Notable contributors include BRAC, Unilever, and Pran-RFL Group, all members of the Bangladesh Sustainability Alliance.
The plan begins with youth-led clean-up drives, which will raise awareness about plastic pollution and involve locals in these activities.
By reducing waste production and managing collected waste effectively, the project aims to implement a circular economy model. They will also strengthen existing waste collection, segregation, and processing systems to achieve a zero-waste vision for the island.
To enhance sustainability, the ministry plans to gather feedback from diverse groups, including hotel staff and transportation workers, to formulate a precise action plan.
The ministry will also establish an advisory committee with representatives from both government and private organizations.
A collaboration center will facilitate dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and coordinated action among stakeholders, as a platform to plan, monitor, and promote sustainable practices.
This initiative marks a significant step in preserving Saint Martin’s fragile ecosystem.
On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, Dr. Fahmida Khanam, Additional Secretary (Environment) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, led a delegation to the Nuniachhara BIWTA station to oversee the island’s environmentally-friendly tourism initiatives.
Cox’s Bazar Life Desk
Photo: Collected
