Political Will Key to Saving Saint Martin’s

The survival of Saint Martin’s Island depends entirely on political commitment rather than technical documentation, according to Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. Speaking at a workshop on the island’s master plan held at the Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka on Tuesday, 6 January, she emphasised that no amount of planning can preserve the island without a firm pledge from the nation’s leadership.

Restoring the Natural Sanctuary

Adviser Rizwana Hasan clarified the government’s stance on the country’s only coral island, stating that tourism and environmental preservation are not synonymous in this fragile context. “Our primary objective is to restore the island to its original, pristine natural state,” she asserted. She reminded stakeholders that Saint Martin’s is an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA), noting that many countries across the globe strictly prohibit overnight stays in similarly sensitive maritime environments to prevent degradation.

The Adviser criticised the current commercial model, describing outsider-led commercial activities as the primary driver of the island’s environmental decay. She argued that tourism must be “community-centric,” benefiting local residents rather than exploitative external interests.

A Phased Master Plan

The government is prepared to implement five distinct master plans in a phased approach. However, Rizwana Hasan was clear about the hierarchy of these objectives, stating that conservation must remain the absolute priority, with economic benefits and tourism coming secondary.

The Five Pillars of the Saint Martin’s Restoration Strategy:

Redefining the Tourist Experience

The Adviser sent a stern message regarding the culture of tourism on the island, remarking that Saint Martin’s is “not a place for barbecues or loudspeakers.” She described the area as highly sensitive to human interference and suggested that the future of lodging should lie in local homestays. By allowing tourists to stay in the homes of islanders, the government hopes to eliminate the need for destructive hotel and resort infrastructure while ensuring the local population retains the economic rewards.

Multi-Ministry Cooperation

Protecting the island is not the responsibility of a single department. Rizwana Hasan highlighted the need for integrated efforts from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to secure alternative employment for the islanders. She concluded by reiterating that while the government is monitoring coastal erosion and employment, the long-term success of these initiatives rests solely on the foundation of unwavering political will.