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Tourists are flocking to Saint Martin’s Island, with many also visiting Chera Dwip despite an official ban on tourist access to the ecologically sensitive island.
More than 4,000 tourists are visiting Saint Martin’s daily, and a significant number are travelling to Chera Dwip, located south of the main island.
Despite restrictions imposed by the Department of Environment (DoE) to protect the island’s fragile ecosystem, tourist movement to Chera Dwip continues through speedboats, wooden boats and other vessels.
The authorities have imposed 14 restrictions to protect Saint Martin’s biodiversity.
These include a ban on tourist visits to Chera Dwip, the movement and anchoring of vessels there, and the collection and sale of coral, shells and other marine resources.
However, the restrictions are reportedly being widely ignored. Visitors have been seen collecting coral, shells and other marine organisms from the island.
Temporary shops have also been set up along the beach, with some reportedly selling these prohibited items.
Tourist police and local authorities have acknowledged difficulties in controlling the movement of visitors to Chera Dwip.
They said efforts were underway to protect the island’s biodiversity, but a lack of effective enforcement and coordination had made it difficult to stop unauthorised visits.
Environmental concerns are growing as the increasing tourist pressure threatens the island’s fragile marine ecosystem and natural resources.
