Saint Martin is slowly being destroyed by the random disposal of plastic and polythene, as well as the overcrowding on the island. The island would also not be open to tourists for at least three years. Bangladesh’s government declared this an Environmentally Critical Area (ECA) in 1999, prohibiting any activity that could harm the island’s water, air, or soil. But no one is following the rules.

Environmentalists in Cox’s Bazar submitted a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today, urging her to take immediate action to protect Saint Martin’s island from resort pollution.

Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kamal Hossen received the memorandum from Environment People, a voluntary organization that promotes environmental awareness.

The rapid growth of tourism on the island, an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA), and widespread use of plastic packets and other non-biodegradable products like nylon ropes, plastic cups, and plates, PET bottles, are hurting the island’s ecology and biodiversity, the organization said in a memo.

The report also made 9 recommendations and demanded that the authorities take steps to conserve Saint Martin’s coral island and bio-diversity.

These are the 9 demands and recommendations:

  1. Take legal action against restricted activities in Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs) under the Environmental Control Act. The island of Saint Martin is an ECA.
  2. Plastic should be banned on the island.
  3. Make sure non-biodegradable waste gets disposed of and managed properly.
  4. Protect the environment and bio-diversity from tourists’ harmful behavior and activities.
  5. Chhera Dwip should be banned from tourism.
  6. It is necessary to stop the construction of hotels and resorts on the island without an environmental clearance certificate.
  7. Make sure the island has a safe water source.
  8. Create a plan for the conservation of the island’s environment, bio-diversity, and livelihoods of its inhabitants.
  9. Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers’ Association (Bela) petitioned for the implementation of a writ verdict (writ case no. 6848/2009).

The organization had earlier conducted a clean-up drive in the island on January 27-28, which resulted in the collection of around 200 kilograms of plastic and non-biodegradable waste.