The Crime Desk: Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said that an action plan will be finalized by October 20 on various issues, including banning plastic on the island, overnight stays on the island, and determining the number of tourists.
The adviser said this at a press conference organized on the occasion of announcing the results of ‘Sundarban Tiger Survey-2024’ at the secretariat on Tuesday (October 8).
Regarding the recommendations made in the meeting with the stakeholders of Saint Martin Island, the advisor said, “Those who run hotels and ships there have agreed that no single-use plastic should be allowed to enter there. Chanachur, chips, and pickle packets should not be allowed to enter there.
Rizwana Hasan said, “The government decision was that tourists cannot be allowed to stay overnight in St. Martin; the decision was that more than a certain number of tourists cannot go to St. Martin—what is their point here?” They agreed that tourists should be controlled there. But they will talk to their other members about the specific number.
The Environment and Forest Adviser also said, ‘Tourism Department also has a say in this matter. Those who steer the ship also have a say. We will get the opinion of hotel owners and ship owners there. Give their opinion by October 15 regarding the overnight stay of tourists and limiting the number of tourists.
The advisor expressed hope that the action plan for St. Martin would be finalized by October 20 after speaking with the government agencies.
When asked about the increasing number of dogs in St. Martin, Rizwana Hasan said, “They (hotel owners) will cooperate if the specialist organizations that work with dogs go there and start sterilization of dogs.”
