Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser for the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, has said the government was taking steps to limit tourism on Saint Martin’s Island without harming local livelihoods by creating alternative income sources and protecting the island’s biodiversity.
She made these remarks while presiding over a meeting held at the Ministry’s conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday.
To identify suitable alternative employment, a working team has been formed with the Director General of the Department of Environment as the convener.
The committee includes representatives from the Department of Agricultural Extension, Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh Tourism Board, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Forest Department, district administration, Brac, and COAST Foundation. The team will soon submit its recommendations for necessary actions to the government.
The meeting discussed possible support for fishing, including the distribution of environment-friendly nets and modern devices. Branding initiatives will be introduced for marketing dried fish. Opportunities for seaweed and mushroom cultivation, vegetable farming, poultry and livestock rearing, content creation, blogging, and photography training were also considered. For women, training will be provided in tailoring, traditional embroidery (nakshi katha), souvenir making using coconut husk, shells, and cane, as well as rope and handicraft production from coconut coir.
Other initiatives will include educational support for students, tree planting, waste management, and restaurant job training. Local youth will be trained in environmental awareness to serve as eco-tour guides. Land-based vegetable cultivation will also be encouraged. Measures will be taken to increase dried fish production and improve market access to Teknaf and Cox’s Bazar.
These initiatives aim to boost the income of residents and support a sustainable future for Saint Martin’s Island.
