The government has introduced a new set of travel and conservation rules for Saint Martin’s Island to safeguard its fragile ecosystem, biodiversity, and natural environment.
The Environment-2 Wing of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a notification on Wednesday outlining 12 specific directives under Section 13 of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995.
The measures are in line with the “Guidelines for the Protection of Environment, Ecosystem and Biodiversity of Saint Martin’s Island and for Eco-Friendly Tourism, 2023,” read a press release issued Wednesday.
According to the circular, no vessel will be allowed to operate to Saint Martin’s Island without prior approval from the ministry. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) must ensure compliance before issuing travel permits.
Tourists will now be required to purchase tickets through the authorised web portal of the Bangladesh Tourism Board. Each ticket will carry a Travel Pass and a QR code, and any ticket without a QR code will be considered counterfeit.
The new guidelines restrict tourist travel and overnight stays by month. Visitors will only be allowed daytime access in November, overnight stays in December and January, while February will remain closed to all tourism. The daily visitor limit has been capped at 2,000.
To protect the island’s environment, lighting, loud music, and barbeque parties on the beach at night have been banned. Entering the Keya Forest, collecting or trading Keya fruits, and harming marine life such as turtles, birds, corals, crabs, starfish, or seaweed are also strictly prohibited.
The use of motorcycles, sea bikes, or any motorised vehicles on the beach is forbidden.
Tourists have been asked not to carry prohibited polythene items or single-use plastics like chip packets, straws, plastic spoons, mini soap or shampoo sachets, and small water bottles. Visitors are encouraged to use refillable flasks instead.
Officials said the move aims to promote responsible tourism and protect the country’s only coral island.
A meeting on the implementation of eco-friendly tourism was held on Tuesday at the ministry, chaired by Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The session was attended by Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed, representatives from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, e-ticketing management officials, and other stakeholders.
