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DHAKA: The government has decided to allow more tourists to visit Saint Martin’s Island, the country’s only coral island, while extending the visiting season until 15 March. Under the new rules, each visitor will have to pay Tk100 as an environmental conservation fee.
The decisions were taken at an inter-ministerial meeting on tourism to the island, according to a letter signed by Sabrina Rahman, senior assistant secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Under the decision, a maximum of 3,500 tourists will be allowed to visit the island daily from 1 November to 15 March. Each visitor entering the island during this period will be charged Tk100 as an environmental conservation fee.
The Department of Environment will take the necessary steps to collect the fee under Rule 26 of the Environment Conservation (ECA Management) Rules, 2016. The measure aims to protect the island’s environment and biodiversity.
Tourist visits will resume on 1 November. Instead of departing from Teknaf, authorised tourist vessels will operate from Nuniachhara Ghat in Cox’s Bazar.
The meeting also decided that the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and the Department of Shipping will not be allowed to authorise vessel operations to the island without approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The new instructions further state that the provisions of the ministry’s notification issued on 22 October 2023 will remain in force. Existing environmental restrictions must therefore continue to be followed in conducting tourism activities.
The decisions set a daily limit on tourist arrivals and extend the visiting season, while introducing a conservation fee as part of efforts to protect Saint Martin’s fragile ecosystem.