Preserving the Treasures Today Secures Prosperity Tomorrow

St. Martin's Island is a small, picturesque island in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal, under the jurisdiction of Bangladesh. It is about 9 kilometers south of Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Peninsula and approximately 8 kilometers west of the northwestern coast of Myanmar at the mouth of the Naf River. Millennia ago, the island used to be an extension of the Teknaf peninsula, but a portion of this peninsula later got submerged, and thus, the southernmost part of the peninsula became an island and disconnected from Bangladesh's mainland. The island hosts a rich coral reef ecosystem, supporting various species of fish, mollusks, and marine turtles. It is an important breeding ground for the endangered olive ridley and green turtles and known for its crystal-clear waters, coconut groves, and relaxed ambiance, making it a popular tourist destination for the travelers of Bangladesh.Activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, and exploring the blue water and serene beaches.

Lovingly, we call this island a coral island, but scientifically, it is not a coral island rather a coral-bearings island. Usually, Coral Islands are formed entirely by coral skeleton deposits over time.Besides, Coral-bearing island is a rocky or sedimentary island with coral growth on or around it.Coral is a significant feature there but not the primary building material of the landmass.St. Martins Island is mainly formed of sedimentary rock, but an auspicious oceanic environment has facilitated the growth of corals in the waterbody surrounding the island.

These reefs, along with the island’s rich biodiversity, support local livelihood, provide storm protection, and attract thousands of tourists each year.However, this delicate ecosystem is under severe stress due to unregulated tourism, overfishing, and pollution. A large number of tourists in this small place is the main reason for pollution, both in terms of plastic and sewage, which makes the coral ecosystems vulnerable. Besides, ignorant tourists collect coral skeletons and shells from the beach, which usually induces erosion of the island. Although, due to geological processes, naturally, the island is rising over time at a very small rate, human-induced erosion and ecological degradation can make the island abandoned. For instance, there are nearly hundreds of other islands in Bangladesh, but tourists don’t go there. It is the ecology, not the land, that attracts tourists. So, the conservation of the island’s ecosystem is inevitable for the sustenance of St. Martin's Island in terms of tourism, economy, and livelihood of the locals.

Recently, the interim government has decided to limit the number of tourists visiting Saint Martin's Island for four months, from November to February.Reportedly, in November, tourists aren’t allowed to stay at night on the island;in December and January, a maximum of 2,000 tourists will be allowed to visit the island daily, and they can stay overnight. In February, however, no tourists will be permitted to visit the island, as it will undergo cleaning and maintenance. Besides, the government has also banned single-use plastic in St. Martin to protect its environment.The decisions are commendable if implemented.

On the other side, the locals, tour operators, and investors are protesting the government's decision and stating that they will lose their livelihoods if tourism is restricted. It’s true. Many of the tourists are also opposing the decisions. But these decisions are mainly for the locals, tour agencies, investors as well as tourists so that the next generation of the island gets a healthy life and livelihood opportunity, tour agencies can generate revenue from the island on a long-term basis and our upcoming generations can also enjoy the beauty of the island. Sustainability is not only the responsibility of the government;it is the responsibility of all of us.

The home gives you shelter and needs care and repair over time; the vehicle gives you comfort but also needs rest; you can’t run it continuously, and it requires servicing. Hence, for the sustainability of ecology, economy, and tourism, the island needs a break to be repaired and regenerated.

Undoubtedly, the restrictions will disturb the livelihood of the locals to some extent. Considering this factor, there are only restrictions; otherwise, knowledgeable environmentalists are proposing a total ban on tourism on the island.

These restrictions will also open up new opportunities and diversity in livelihoods like seaweed culture, Integrated Multi Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), mariculture and sea ranching. Here, the government must play the most important role in the training of the locals in such activities. Besides, in the cleaning, plantation, and reforestation projects of the government, locals must be involved to earn money.

It is high time, tourism in St. Martin island was developed in an eco-friendly model, ecotourism in other words. Alternative livelihoods such as aquaculture and handicrafts, supported by financial incentives, can reduce overreliance on tourism. Infrastructure improvements, like renewable energy systems and waste management facilities, should also be prioritized to mitigate the environmental impact of tourism. Continuous monitoring and research will ensure policies remain effective, adapting to new challenges as necessary.

The decisions to limit tourism may feel restrictive in the short term, but they are necessary to prevent irreversible damage. If the island's ecosystem collapses, it will not only devastate biodiversity but also destroy the very resources that sustain local livelihoods and attract tourists.

Preserving St. Martin’s Island ensures that its natural beauty, ecological services, and economic opportunities remain intact for future generations. By embracing sustainability and stakeholder engagement, Bangladesh can transform the island into a model for eco-tourism and conservation.

The government’s efforts should be seen not as barriers but as investments in a shared future where nature and humanity coexist harmoniously. It is a reminder that preserving our treasures today secures our prosperity tomorrow.


Marhaba Matluba is a
Research Officer at the
Bangladesh Institute of
Maritime Research and
Development (BIMRAD), Naval Headquarters in Banani, Dhaka.