St Martin’s Island, once a thriving hub for tourists in the Bay of Bengal, now faces an economic crisis.
Despite being in the peak of the tourist season, the island is eerily quiet. Beaches once filled with vacationers are now deserted, shops that were once lively have shut their doors, and jetties stand empty.
Strict environmental regulations enforced by the government since November to protect the island’s delicate ecology have crippled the local economy. The absence of tourists during the crucial winter months has led to the closure of hotels, restaurants, and businesses, sending the island’s residents into a struggle for survival.
Tourism has been the island’s economic lifeline, with locals relying on it for jobs in hotels, restaurants, shops, boat rides, guiding services, and transportation.
However, the drastic decline in tourism has left these sectors largely inactive. Most large hotels and resorts are owned by outsiders, and the loss of tourists has led to widespread layoffs. Small shop owners, street vendors, tuk-tuk (local transport) drivers, and boatmen are among the hardest hit, facing mounting debts and no source of income.
Desperation among islanders
Monzur Alam, who has been in the dried fish business for nearly two decades, is struggling to keep his business afloat. A family of seven depends on his earnings, and after borrowing Tk4,00,000 to stock his shop at the beginning of the season, he is now left with unsold fish and growing debt.
“With no tourists and my health preventing me from fishing, I wonder how I will repay my debts,” he said.
Mohammad Zamir Uddin, a tuk-tuk driver, is also in dire situation. Having purchased his vehicle on credit for Tk2,20,000, he has seen his income come to a halt. “The government has imposed fines for running tuk-tuks on the beach, and now there’s no income. How will I feed my family?” he asked, visibly distressed.
Business owners in crisis
Mohammad Amin, owner of the “Amin Bari” homestay, invested heavily in upgrading his cottage but managed only four days of bookings throughout the season.
Abdul Aziz, a cottage owner at the dally village area, shared an even bleaker story. In previous years, he earned up to Tk8,00,000 annually; this season, he made only Tk11,000. “The Dhaka-coach’s syndicate monopolises hotel bookings, ruining local businesses,” he lamented.
Small vendors facing hardship
The island’s small vendors, from coconut sellers to tuk-tuk drivers, are grappling with severe financial strain.
Many have taken on debts, and with no income coming in, they fear their families will go hungry.
“If we’re saving the island but allowing people to starve, who is this preservation for?” questioned Nuru Alam, a local resident.
Nine months of hardship
Mawlavi Nur Ahmad, vice president of the island’s shopkeeper association, explained the dire situation: “For nine months a year, there are no tourists, and thousands of people live in hardship. Over 230 hotels, restaurants, and shops close during this period.”
Mahbub Ullah, president of the hotel owners’ association, added, “The local population suffers most from food and medical shortages. While the environment is being protected, it is unclear how much improvement has been made.”
Call for alternative employment
Local environment activist Tayeb Ullah emphasises the importance of protecting the environment but urges the government to create alternative employment opportunities for the island’s residents. “If tourism shuts down, the islanders face a tough time,” he said.
Faizul Islam, acting chairman of Saint Martin’s Union Parishad, warned of an uncertain future for the 9,000 people involved in tourism-related businesses. “We are willing to follow the rules, but will there be food for us in return? If this continues, famine will strike,” he said.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Imamul Hafiz Nadim acknowledges the necessity of regulating tourism for environmental protection. However, he sympathises with the locals’ plight. “We are considering alternative employment and support plans, but the question remains, when will these plans be implemented?” he said.
The ongoing crisis in Saint Martin’s Island reflects a growing tension between environmental preservation and the livelihood of its people, leaving thousands of residents in limbo as they await government intervention.
