The government has issued new guidelines to promote eco-friendly tourism on St. Martin’s Island, aiming to preserve the island’s unique natural beauty, environment, and biodiversity.
The Environment-2 Wing of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a notification in this regard on Wednesday.
The guidelines are based on the “St. Martin’s Island Environment, Habitat and Biodiversity Conservation and Eco-friendly Tourism Guidelines, 2023” (S.R.O No-165-Law/2023, dated May 23, 2023), framed under Section 13 of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995.
Under the new rules, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) will not permit any vessels to operate on the island without approval from the Ministry of Environment.
Tourists must purchase tickets online through the official Bangladesh Tourism Board portal, with each ticket containing a Travel Pass and QR Code. Tickets without QR Codes will be considered counterfeit.
Visitor schedules and island access will be strictly regulated.
In November, tourists can visit only during daytime and overnight stay is prohibited. In December and January, overnight stay will be allowed.
No tourist movement will be permitted in February and daily tourist numbers will be capped at 2,000.
To protect the island’s delicate ecosystem, activities such as lighting fires or lamps on beaches at night, creating noise, and hosting barbecue parties are strictly banned.
Entry into Keya fruit areas, harvesting or trading Keya fruits, and harming marine turtles, birds, corals, crabs, shellfish, or other wildlife is prohibited.
Motorised vehicles, including motorcycles and sea bikes, are banned on beaches.
Tourists are discouraged from carrying banned polythene items or single-use plastics such as chip packets, plastic spoons, straws, mini shampoo or soap packs, and 500-1000 ml plastic bottles. Visitors are advised to bring their own water flasks.
The government hopes the new measures will safeguard St. Martin’s fragile environment and biodiversity, turning the island into a model for responsible and eco-friendly tourism.
A meeting was held on Tuesday at the ministry chaired by Environments adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan to discuss the implementation of eco-friendly tourism on the island.