The Bangladeshi government has unveiled a large-scale plan to protect the ecosystem and biodiversity of St. Martin`s Island, the country`s only coral island. Initiatives include collecting an "environmental conservation fee" from tourists and creating alternative employment opportunities for local residents to preserve the island`s environment.

This information was announced on Saturday, July 12, at a meeting held at the Department of Environment concerning the management plan for St. Martin`s. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, was present as the chief guest.

She stated that St. Martin`s is a unique island rich in natural features. The government has undertaken a three-year project to protect its ecosystem, with work set to begin this August.

It was decided at the meeting that the local union council would collect the environmental conservation fee from tourists. This money will be used for the island`s environmental protection. However, the exact amount of the fee has not yet been determined.

Initially, 500 island families will be selected to receive training in poultry farming, chips production, and agriculture. The Ministry of Agriculture has already decided to appoint two agricultural officers. Additionally, assistance for fishermen will be increased during fishing ban periods, the advisor noted.

She further mentioned that single-use plastics will be banned on St. Martin`s after October. Relevant companies will be asked to provide alternatives.

AKM Rafiqul Islam, Director of the Department of Environment, informed that a project worth approximately BDT 7 crore will be implemented for alternative employment. Ten thousand residents of St. Martin`s will be brought under this project.