A comprehensive work plan to regulate tourism on Saint Martin’s Island, including a ban on single-use plastics, restrictions on overnight stays, and a cap on the number of tourists, will be finalized by October 20, according to Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. The announcement came today during a press conference at the Secretariat, following the release of the 'Sundarbans Tiger Survey 2024' results.

In response to questions about recent recommendations concerning the island, Rizwana Hasan detailed the outcomes of a meeting held with stakeholders, including hotel and ship operators. “Those who manage hotels and ships on Saint Martin’s Island have agreed that single-use plastic should not be permitted. Some even suggested that snacks like chanachur, chips, and pickles should also be banned,” she said, signaling a unified stance among local businesses to tackle plastic pollution.

The discussions also touched on the lack of implementation of previous government decisions concerning the island. “We asked them why certain consensus-based decisions were not carried out,” the adviser said. “They mentioned that past governments had made these decisions unilaterally, without proper consultation.”

Single-use plastic ban, tourist limit to be imposed at St. Martin’s island: Environment Adviser

A major point of agreement from the meeting was the necessity to limit tourism. “The government has decided not to allow overnight stays on the island and to impose restrictions on the number of visitors. We asked the stakeholders for their views, and they agreed that controlling the number of tourists is essential,” she added. However, the exact limit on tourist numbers remains under discussion, with stakeholders expected to provide their opinions by October 15.

The Tourism Department and ship operators also have a say in this matter, and their feedback will be incorporated into the final plan. “We will collect opinions from all relevant parties, including hotel and ship owners,” she said, emphasizing that a final decision will be made soon.

On the issue of stray animals on the island, particularly dogs, Rizwana Hasan noted that hotel owners have expressed willingness to support sterilization efforts if expert organizations are involved.

The finalized plan, which is expected to be in place by October 20, aims to protect the island's delicate ecosystem while ensuring sustainable tourism practices.