Efforts are underway by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, alongside other relevant agencies, to regulate uncontrolled tourism and conserve the biodiversity and ecosystem of St Martin’s Island, Bangladesh’s only coral island.

As part of these initiatives, obtaining a travel pass through the Bangladesh Tourism Board’s app has been made mandatory for travelers on approved vessels. Tourists are required to deposit polythene and single-use plastic items before boarding, with environment friendly jute bags being distributed to discourage plastic usage.

Restrictions won’t harm St. Martin's tourism industry, says Adviser Hassan Ariff

Hotels are also maintaining registers to document tourists’ accommodation details. Visitors are being verbally informed about regulations that must be followed during their stay. A billboard containing instructions for tourists has been installed at Nuniachhara Jetty.

To curb unregulated tourism, a committee has been formed, headed by the Upazila Nirbahi Officers of Teknaf and Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazilas. Additionally, a 21-member monitoring cell has been established to oversee vessel and tourism activities. Between November 30 and December 31, ten teams from the Department of Environment are monitoring the use of polythene and plastics on vessels.

A total of 681 passengers, including 644 tourists and 37 locals, traveled to St Martin’s Island on December 2. A total of 704 travel passes were issued for the day.