The draft "Master Plan of Saint Martin's Island" proposes limiting tourism to 500 to 900 visitors per day inside defined areas on the country's only coral island in order to prevent environmental degradation. To protect conservation priorities, it proposed limiting tourism activities to 4.1 km of beach in the General Use Zone.
Tourism is the principal attraction on Saint Martin's Island, particularly during the peak season from September to April, when daily visitor numbers average between 3,000 and 7,000. However, the island's 590-hectare area is insufficient to sustain such a large tourist traffic.
This enormous immigration has exceeded the island's carrying capacity, resulting in development that goes beyond sustainable limits.
The associated environmental challenges, including increased waste and sewage production, inadequate drainage systems, unregulated growth of resorts and restaurants, habitat degradation, coral extraction, persistent poverty, limited alternative employment opportunities, unplanned infrastructure, and constraints in energy and eco-friendly transportation facilities, have collectively placed significant pressure on both local ecosystems and the socioeconomic stability of the The Saint Martin's Master Plan, developed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, included the creation of a framework that articulates the island's overarching vision, physical configuration, key growth components, business rationale, delivery strategies, and execution guidelines.
The strategy presented in the plan includes both concrete and intangible actions, with equal emphasis on socioeconomic advancement and sustainable natural resource management. Following an assessment of major community problems and development priorities, the plan's nine sectors have been established, with 26 specific activities intended for efficient execution by appropriate authorities.
Sustainable Tourism Management; Conservation of Fish Resources and Benthic Communities; Protection of Coral Resources and Associated Flora and Fauna; Conservation of Turtles and Nesting Sites; Terrestrial Flora and Fauna Development and Preservation; Waste Management; Groundwater Management; Enhancement of Internal Road Communication and Green Infrastructure; and Livelihood Improvement Initiative.
Implementation is divided into short-term (1-3 years), medium-term (1-5 years), and long-term (1-10 years) initiatives. The total estimated investment is Taka 547.9 million, divided among 12 high-priority programmes (Taka 194.5 million), three top-priority initiatives (Taka 115.0 million), eight medium-level undertakings (Taka 138.4 million), and three low-priority activities (Taka 100 million).
The ministry will receive the majority of the funds, totalling Taka 547.9 million. Implementation will include public sector projects, subject to government approval and ADP funding, as well as private sector participation in sectors such as biodiversity conservation, waste management, sustainable tourism, and coral reef protection. This multifaceted method promotes coordinated and long-term growth of the island's environment.
The draft master plan, which was created to regulate unplanned tourism, safeguard the island's vulnerable ecosystem, and ensure sustainable management, has been made available to the public via the notice board on the Ministry of Ecosystem, Forest, and Climate Change's website (www.moefcc.gov.bd).
All relevant ministries, departments, agencies, stakeholders, and citizens are asked to provide written feedback on the draft plan by December 20 at the email address [email protected] .
