New restrictions on travel to St. Martin (2021).

Sant. Martin's Island in Bangladesh 

 Saint Martin's Island is the only coral kingdom in the far south of Bangladesh. The island, which is eight and a half square kilometers in size, has shrunk in size at high tide to five square kilometers. Nowhere else in such a small size can such a scenic view and abundant species of plants or animals be found. For good reason, St. Martin's Island has recently become quite attractive to domestic and foreign tourists. But as a result of various reckless activities of tourists, the island is now in an environmental crisis.

So, to protect the island, the government has imposed some new restrictions on travel to St. Martin. The Department of the Environment said in a public statement declaring the area an "ecologically endangered" area that uncontrolled tourism and tourists' unawareness, irresponsibility, environmental and anti-environmental behavior were on the verge of destroying St. Martin's rare environment and biodiversity.
In order to preserve the island, including the restoration of the environment and rare biodiversity, the Department has imposed some restrictions on travel to St. Martin under Section 04 of the Environmental Protection Act 1995 (Amended 2010).
These are:

- No mechanical or non-mechanical vehicles including bicycles, motorcycles, rickshaws, vans can be driven on the beach of the island

- Plastic or any kind of waste cannot be dumped on the beaches, seas and rivers of the island.
- It is not possible to go south after Konapara on the west beach and south after Galachipa on the east beach.

- No boat trips around the island

- You can't walk on rocks in tidal areas

- It is not possible to take pictures of sea turtles laying eggs, turning on lights at night and using flashlights.

- No lights or fires, fireworks or lanterns on the beach at night

- No mic playing, hiccups, loud music, or barbecue parties on the beach

- Speedboats, country boats, trawlers, and other vessels cannot travel or anchor on Chheradia Island

- Government-acquired Chheradia Island cannot be visited for conservation purposes

- Corals, snails, oysters, sea turtles, birds, starfish, crabs, seagrass, seaweed and keya fruits cannot be collected and sold.

- Chips or any other food should not be fed to the birds from the ship

- Water wastage should be prevented as the amount of potable water on the island is limited

Above all, everyone, including travelers, should refrain from doing anything that is harmful to the environment of St. Martin's Island. Violation of these restrictions is a punishable offense, the statement said.

By News World 367