Joint committee formed to regulate tourism, travel to St Martin’s island

The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change formed a joint committee to oversee tourist activities and regulate authorised vessels travelling to St Martin’s Island, the country’s only coral island.
The committee was formed through an order signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Sabrina Rahman on Tuesday.
The upazila nirbahi officers (UNO) of Cox’s Bazar Sadar and Teknaf have been appointed as conveners, while the deputy director of the Department of Environment’s Cox’s Bazar office will serve as the member secretary.
Representatives from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Bangladesh Tourism Board, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, Bangladesh Coast Guard, and Tourist Police will serve as members of the committee.
As per the committee’s terms of reference, all tourists travelling to the island must register through an app developed by the Bangladesh Tourism Board and travel via authorised cruise ships with a valid travel pass.
Tourists will also be required to comply with various restrictions, including a prohibition on carrying polythene bags and single-use plastic products.
The committee will monitor and record tourists’ accommodations on the island, maintaining a register with detailed information.
Tourist guidelines, including dos and don’ts, will be prominently displayed at departure and entry points.
The Department of Environment’s Cox’s Bazar office will coordinate all activities, ensuring communication and compliance. The committee also has the authority to expand its membership if necessary to facilitate its responsibilities.
Cox’s Bazar Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Nizam Uddin Ahmed confirmed the committee’s formation and said that its members have already begun their work to regulate tourism and ensure sustainable practices on the island.