St. Martin’s Island, Dec 20 (V7N)— In a bid to preserve the fragile environment of St. Martin's Island, the only coral-rich island in Bangladesh, the government has intensified its efforts to curb illegal construction and limit tourism. A day-long mobile court operation on Thursday, led by Teknaf Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Arif Ullah Nizami, halted the construction of four residential hotels on the island.

The operation, conducted with the assistance of the Coast Guard, Department of Environment, police, and local beach workers, targeted several sites where unauthorized multi-storey buildings were under construction. Among them, an unnamed luxury hotel in Dalepara and three others—Sinbad, Kingshuk, and Sandy Beach Resort—had their work suspended.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin confirmed that regular cases would be filed against these establishments for violating environmental laws. Additionally, several encroachments on the island's beach were removed.

During a visit to the island, numerous illegal constructions were observed, including a multi-storey building in Dalepara spanning 20 kathas of land, where two floors have already been completed. Workers revealed that a Dhaka-based owner is financing the project. Similarly, another building in Purba Para is being developed as an eco-resort, but construction has stalled due to financial issues.

According to reports, 27 hotels, resorts, and cottages are currently under construction on St. Martin’s Island, 20 of which are multi-storey buildings. None of these projects have obtained clearance from the Department of Environment, which prohibits activities harming the island's ecosystem.

St. Martin's Island is classified as one of Bangladesh's 13 Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs), where any activity that threatens the environment, wildlife, or natural resources is strictly forbidden. Despite this, over 250 establishments, including hotels, resorts, and restaurants, have been constructed on the island, with 130 built in the past two years alone.

Mohammad Solaiman Haider, director of the district office of the Department of Environment, confirmed the lack of permits for these structures and announced plans to issue notices soon.

Tourism Restrictions to Protect Biodiversity

In an effort to safeguard the island's environment and biodiversity, the government has imposed restrictions on tourism. Tourists will be allowed to visit during November, December, January, and February, but with limitations:

Overnight stays are prohibited in November.

A maximum of 2,000 tourists will be permitted daily in December and January.

Tourism will be completely banned in February for cleanup activities.

Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer Sheikh Ehsan Uddin affirmed his commitment to enforcing these measures, emphasizing the importance of protecting the island's delicate ecosystem.

The government’s initiatives reflect a growing awareness of the need to balance development with environmental conservation, as St. Martin’s Island faces mounting threats from unregulated construction and mass tourism.

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