Published on
November 29, 2025
The Bangladesh government has unveiled the draft of a Master Plan for Saint Martin’s Island-the only coral island of the country-with the aim of bringing about both sustainable tourism and the protection of the environment. It proposes limiting tourism in designated areas to 500-900 visitors per day and reduces the environmental pressure caused by excessive tourist numbers. The activities are proposed to be restricted within 4.1 km of beach in the General Use Zone in order to preserve its natural beauty and biodiversity.
Saint Martin’s Island has been a major tourist destination in Bangladesh, especially during the period between September and April of each year. The tourist inflow during this season often varies from 3,000 to 7,000 visitors per day, which puts immense pressure on the ecosystem of the island. It is here that the Master Plan envisions control over the number of visitors, ensuring that the fragile ecosystem of the island remains intact along with the facilitation of sustainable tourism development.
The Challenge of Overcrowding and Environmental Impact
Tourism has become an essential economic driver for Saint Martin’s Island, but its popularity has led to significant challenges for the local environment. The island’s size—just 590 hectares—is insufficient to accommodate the high volume of tourists. The excessive influx has exceeded the island’s carrying capacity, resulting in ecological degradation, waste accumulation, habitat destruction, and coral extraction.
Furthermore, the island faces socio-economic challenges, including persistent poverty among the local population and limited alternative sources of income. Overcrowded tourism has also led to unregulated development, with resorts, restaurants, and infrastructure springing up without proper planning, contributing to poor drainage systems, increased waste production, and energy shortages.
The Master Plan’s Strategic Approach to Sustainable Development
Formulated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Master Plan for Saint Martin’s Island outlines a comprehensive strategy to preserve both the natural environment and the local community. The plan places equal emphasis on socioeconomic development and conservation efforts, incorporating both tangible and intangible interventions. These measures aim to balance the needs of the local population with the imperatives of environmental sustainability.
The plan focuses on nine critical sectors, each with specific programs designed to address the island’s most pressing challenges. The identified sectors include:
- Sustainable Tourism Management
- Conservation of Fish Resources and Benthic Communities
- Protection of Coral Resources and Associated Flora and Fauna
- Conservation of Turtles and Nesting Sites
- Terrestrial Flora and Fauna Development and Preservation
- Waste Management
- Groundwater Management
- Enhancement of Internal Road Communication and Green Infrastructure
- Livelihood Improvement Initiatives
By promoting eco-friendly tourism, waste reduction, and the preservation of marine and terrestrial ecosystems, the plan aims to protect the island’s unique natural resources while offering sustainable growth opportunities for the local community.
Phased Implementation and Investment Plans
The implementation of the Master Plan is divided into short-term (1-3 years), medium-term (1-5 years), and long-term (1-10 years) phases, with a total estimated investment of Taka 547.9 million. This amount will be allocated across 12 high-priority programs, including projects focused on sustainable tourism, coral reef protection, and waste management.
A significant portion of the investment, Taka 194.5 million, will fund high-priority initiatives that include improving infrastructure for eco-friendly tourism and enhancing the island’s biodiversity conservation efforts. Another Taka 115.0 million is allocated to top-priority actions aimed at waste management, while the remaining funds will support medium and low-priority projects related to the island’s socioeconomic and infrastructure development.
Tourism’s Socioeconomic Impact and Long-Term Sustainability
The tourism sector in Bangladesh has long been a vital contributor to the economy, with Saint Martin’s Island being a focal point for eco-tourism. However, the rapid increase in tourist numbers has placed pressure on both the island’s environment and its local community. The Master Plan aims to mitigate these issues by ensuring that the island can handle tourism sustainably, focusing on maintaining the balance between economic growth and ecological preservation.
By implementing controlled tourism, the Master Plan envisions a more sustainable tourism industry for Bangladesh, one that minimizes environmental impact while offering long-term benefits for both visitors and residents. The plan will also generate new employment opportunities for locals, particularly in areas such as eco-tourism management, sustainable fishing, and conservation efforts, helping reduce dependence on tourism-related businesses that exacerbate the island’s ecological challenges.
The Role of Private Sector and Government Support
The Bangladesh government has committed to supporting the Master Plan through both public and private sector involvement. Government funding will be allocated to large-scale infrastructural projects aimed at improving waste management systems, green infrastructure, and eco-friendly transportation. Meanwhile, the private sector will play a critical role in promoting sustainable tourism, including initiatives for coral reef protection, biodiversity conservation, and green accommodation options. This collaborative approach will ensure that both public policy and private enterprise work in harmony to achieve the island’s sustainable development goals, benefiting the environment and the local population.
A Sustainable Future for Saint Martin’s Island
The master plan for Saint Martin’s Island is a farsighted approach to the management of tourism on this island, which harmoniously balances environmental concerns with the socio-economic needs of the local population. Limiting tourist numbers, prioritizing eco-friendly practices, and implementing sustainable development initiatives are the ways in which Bangladesh proposes to preserve one of its most valuable natural assets for future generations.
This plan represents an important step in ensuring Saint Martin’s Island is a sustainable, yet vibrant destination for eco-tourism while offering long-term economic benefits to the local community. The island will stay prominent on visitors’ lists while preserving its unique ecosystem and cultural heritage with sustainable tourism practice and conservation efforts. Saint Martin’s Island acts as a model for sustainable tourism development in the region as Bangladesh works to balance tourism with environmental responsibility.
