Saint Martin's Crisis: A Call to Save Bangladesh's Unique Coral Island from Environmental Collapse
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St. Martin
When envisioning St. Martin, you picture tranquil, expansive sandy beaches under a clear blue sky, with the endless roar of the sea. Coconut trees sway gently, and flocks of seagulls seen to fly across the landscape like a vivid film.
However, when I think of Saint Martin now, I am filled with regret and disappointment. The search results for St. Martin in the google reveal annoying constructions on the small island, erosion, coral degradation, and loss of biodiversity. Despite standing resilient through countless natural storms for centuries, is St. Martin now facing a slow demise due to human-made disasters?
St. Martin, a treasured gift from nature to Bangladesh, has been under environmental threat for years. In 1999, the Department of Environment designated St. Martin as an Environmentally Critical Area (ECA), prohibiting any activities that could harm its water, soil, air, or wildlife.
Recent efforts to protect the island's environment include plans to limit tourism. In 2016, new regulations for managing Environmentally Critical Areas were introduced. Then, on January 4, 2023, the Ministry of Environment declared 1,743 square kilometers of the Bay of Bengal near St. Martin as a marine protected area under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act. This move was praised by Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, who commended the then Bangladeshi government, local communities, and NGOs for their efforts. Despite these positive steps, the effectiveness of these initiatives remains questionable, as there appears to be a disconnect between legal protections and ongoing threats to St. Martin's environment.
On September 5, Director General Abdul Hamid of the Environment Directorate addressed a seminar in Cox's Bazar titled "Consultation on Banning the Use of Single-Use Plastics in St. Martin Island." The discussion also touched on the potential need for a visitor registration system for the island, although no decision has been made yet. This seminar has sparked renewed hope among environmental advocates.
Professor Saidur Rahman Chowdhury from the Institute of Marine Sciences at Chattogram University, a long-time advocate for St. Martin's protection, views the proposed registration system positively. He noted that the issue of tourist overpopulation on the island has been a concern for 15 years. "With 5,000 visitors arriving daily on several large ships, the island's capacity is overwhelmed," he told Barta24.com. He emphasized the need for a system to manage visitor numbers based on scientific assessments to mitigate environmental damage.
In addition, Professor Chowdhury recommended launching awareness campaigns to educate tourists and residents about environmental conservation.
Saint Martin, the only coral-rich island in Bangladesh, is situated 120 km from Cox's Bazar and is isolated from the mainland. The island, covering eight square kilometers, hosts a diverse range of species, including corals, algae, turtles, snails, and the endangered olive ridley turtle. However, the island's environment is increasingly threatened by uncontrolled infrastructure development, high tourist numbers, and pollution. During peak tourist season, around 5,000 visitors arrive daily from Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, and Chattogram, adding pressure to the island’s ecosystem. Despite a legal ban on construction, over 230 hotels, resorts, and restaurants, many built recently, continue to operate.
A 2020 study by researchers from Dhaka University highlighted the severe decline in coral cover, noting that less than one-third of the island's coral remains compared to four decades ago. Yusuf Gazi, one of the study's authors, warned that without immediate action, St. Martin could lose its coral reefs entirely by 2045, leaving only museum specimens.
Urgent and decisive action is needed to preserve Saint Martin's unique and irreplaceable natural heritage.
