A collective volunteer organization has sent food and medical supplies for the dogs in danger on Saint Martin Island, Cox's Bazar.
The team includes doctors to treat the dogs.
On Sunday at 2 pm, an 11-member team departed from Teknaf's Shah Pori Island Jetty, carrying supplies and headed for Saint Martin by a trawler.
The leader of the team, Abdul Kayyum, said: "Many dogs are dying due to hunger in Saint Martin. We are taking food for the dogs, along with medical equipment for 200 dogs."
"We've brought 3,000 kg of dog food, 5,000 eggs, chicken, lentils, and rice. We will cook the food ourselves and feed the dogs. Everyone should come forward to help," he added.
Saint Martin Union Parishad Chairman Mujibur Rahman said: "Around 4,000 dogs roam the island day and night, which is severely disrupting the island’s ecological balance. Residents are frequently attacked by these dogs."
He further mentioned that the government's decision to limit tourism on the island is also affecting not only the local people but the wildlife, including the dogs.
Many dogs have already died from hunger.
Former member of the Union Parishad Habibur Rahman said: "The government's new decision to limit tourism on the coral island will cause a famine-like situation for the island's residents. Around 90% of the population relies on tourism. Without enough tourists, the residents are living in hardship."
He further said: "Either alternative employment opportunities must be created or food should be sent to the islanders."
Resident Noor Mohammad expressed concern about the environmental damage caused by the dogs, and the fact that many dogs are dying from hunger due to the lack of tourists.
He suggested relocating some dogs to other places.
Assistant Commissioner (Land) Arif Ullah Nezami, the Acting UNO of Teknaf, said: "A joint team with 11 members, approved by the local administration, has sent food and medical supplies for the dogs in Saint Martin. This is a good initiative."
In 2022, the local administration and the Department of Environment planned to relocate 2,000 dogs from Saint Martin to Shah Pori Island in Subrang Union, Teknaf.
In March 2022, 36 dogs were captured and placed in cages.
However, some environmental organizations opposed the move, leading to the suspension of the relocation process.