The government has undertaken a three-year project to protect the environment and biodiversity of the country's only coral island, St. Martin. This information was given at a meeting organized at the Department of Environment on Saturday (July 12). Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, was the chief guest at the meeting.

She said that the project will start from next August. Under this, the local union council will collect 'environmental conservation fee' from tourists, which will be spent on protecting the island's environment. However, the amount of the fee has not been determined yet.

As part of the plan, initially 500 families will be trained in poultry farming, agriculture and making chips. Support will be increased for fishermen during the ban on fishing. In addition, single-use plastic will be banned from October.

Director of the Department of Environment AKM Rafiqul Islam said that a project worth Tk 7 crore has been taken for alternative employment, which will include 10,000 residents. Initiatives are also being taken for the appointment of environmental guards, clean water, waste management, climate-resilient rice cultivation and afforestation.

At the meeting, the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) presented a zone-based management plan for St. Martin. It divides the island into four zones—multiple use zone, buffer zone, controlled use zone and fully protected area.

CEGIS researcher HM Nurul Islam said that the island's environment and biodiversity are under threat due to excessive tourism, resort construction and lobster harvesting.

Environment Secretary Farhina Ahmed, Additional Secretary Fahmida Khanam, Director General of the Department of Environment Md. Kamruzzaman and other government officials were also present at the meeting.

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