9-month tourist ban on Saint Martin’s Island begins

A nine-month ban on the movement of tourists to Saint Martin's Island, the only coral island in Bangladesh, came into effect on Saturday following a decision by the Ministry of Forest and Climate Change. As a result, no tourists will be allowed to visit the island for the next nine months.

According to the ministry’s decision, tourist visits to the island are prohibited for the next nine months. The last tourist ship visited Saint Martin's Island on Friday, January 31.

Mujibur Rahman, Chairman of Saint Martin’s Union Parishad, stated that according to government regulations, tourists had visited the island in limited numbers during the past two months of December and January. Friday marked the last day for tourist visits, and all tourists left the island for their respective destinations that day. Starting today, no tourists are present on the island.

Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin explained that, according to the ministry, Friday marked the end of the tourist season on Saint Martin’s Island. From Saturday, the government-mandated ban will be enforced. However, boats other than tourist ships will still be allowed to operate on the island.