Overnight stay in Saint Martin's Island begins Monday

Tourists will be allowed to stay overnight in the Saint Martin's from Monday for the next two months - December and January.

Earlier on 22 October, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued new guidelines to promote eco-friendly tourism on Saint Martin's Island, aiming to preserve its unique natural beauty, environment, and biodiversity, Public Relations Officer of the ministry Dipankar Bar said.

He said the ministry issued a notification to this end.

The guidelines were issued under Section 13 of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act 1995, following the "Guidelines for the Protection of Environment, Ecosystem and Biodiversity of Saint Martin's Island and for Eco-Friendly Tourism 2023."

Under the new guidelines, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) will not permit any vessels to operate on the island without approval from the ministry.

Tourists must purchase tickets online through the Bangladesh Tourism Board portal, with each ticket containing a Travel Pass and QR code.

Tickets without QR codes will be considered counterfeit.

Visitor schedules and island access will be strictly regulated.

In November, tourists can visit only during daytime and overnight stay is prohibited.

In December and January, overnight stay will be allowed, the notification said.

Daily tourist numbers will be capped at 2,000, and no tourist movement will be permitted in February.

To protect the island's delicate ecosystem, activities such as lighting fires or lamps on beaches at night, creating noise, and hosting barbecue parties are strictly prohibited.

Entry into keya fruit areas, harvesting or trading keya fruits, and harming marine turtles, birds, corals, crabs, shellfish, or other wildlife are prohibited.

Motorised vehicles, including motorcycles and sea bikes, are banned on beaches.

Tourists are discouraged from carrying banned polythene items or single-use plastics such as chip packets, plastic spoons, straws, mini shampoo or soap packs, and 500-1000 ml plastic bottles.

Visitors are advised to bring their own water flasks.