Positive move to save St. Martin's Island

Tourists who would be travelling to the country's only coral island, St. Martin's, have been asked not to go to the Chheradwip, or the 'separate island'. The environment ministry has issued the order to protect some coral reefs there, in view of possible rise in the flow of tourists to the island.

Finally, the authorities concerned have come up with an order that should have been issued much earlier. Human intervention in St Martins, especially infrastructure building and reckless activities by some tourists, has threatened the coral island. We cannot say we are very good at protecting natural and cultural heritage sites. Protection and promotion of such sites are also important for branding Bangladesh worldwide.

Shahjahan Sirazi

Malibagh, Dhaka

[email protected]