Identifying Saint Martin’s as an ecologically endangered area, the government has decided to conserve the biodiversity of the country’s lone coral island by undertaking a number of initiatives to discourage commercial tourism in the island. Reportedly, the government is going to take immediate steps to regulate the rampant entry of tourists in the Island.
Small St. Martin's Island has seen a massive increase in tourism over the last few years and the weak ecosystem on the island is not well equipped to handle it.
Corals and sea turtles are the main biodiversity of St. Martin's Island and these are threatened due to tourism, fishing and other anthropogenic activities. Unplanned infrastructure mushroomed in the island to meet the onrush of tourists has become a potential threat for the existence of the island.
Uncontrolled conventional tourism poses potential threats to environment. It needs no mentioning that unregulated tourism can negatively affect wildlife, plants and natural ecosystems through habitat
destruction, pollution, over-exploitation of natural resources and so on.
A number of new tourist spots are emerging in the hill and beach areas of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar, vast forest areas of Sylhet and the Sundarbans. Various infrastructures have been developed in these areas endangering the environment and biodiversity. Biodiversity and habitats of these areas are being destroyed as a result of deforestation and
The negative impacts of tourism development
can gradually destroy the environmental
resources on which it depends
construction of infrastructure to facilitate the recreation of tourists.
Tourism's relationship with the environment is complex. It involves many activities that can have adverse environmental effects. Many of these impacts are linked with the construction of general infrastructures such as roads, resorts, hotels and restaurants. The negative impacts of tourism development can gradually destroy the environmental resources on which it depends.
Considering all above, an integrated tourism management plan must be implemented in no time emphasising biodiversity conservation. No doubt that present tourism practices are not in favour of biodiversity conservation. Therefore, a strong political commitment coupled with adequate budget is required to conserve our valuable biodiversity. Biodiversity Conservation Policy should be formulated under the supervision of an autonomous body.
