The government could not establish a marine park, let alone eco-tourism, at the Saint Martin's Island in Cox's Bazar even eight years after a recommendation made to this effect by the supreme audit institution of the government.
The Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) made the recommendation in a performance audit report on the island under the environment ministry.
The performance audit was carried out during the period between 2001 and 2007 to evaluate the progress in implementing the project titled 'Conservation of Biodiversity of the St Martin's Island, Establishing Marine Park and Development of Eco-Tourism' undertaken by the Environment and Forest Ministry.
In the preamble of the audit report, it was mentioned that the planning ministry had approved the project involving more than Tk 130 million in March 2000. It had been scheduled to be completed by the fiscal year (FY) 2004-2005. Later, some new points had been included in the project and resultantly the project cost had been raised and the time extended until the FY 2005-2006.
In the first part of the performance audit report on 'Conservation of the Ecosystem and Biodiversity of the Saint Martin's Island and Real Situation of Tourism Industry Development and Way Forward 2006-07' conducted for the environment and forest ministry in accordance with the article 132 of the Constitution by the CAG office was submitted to the President.
In a gazette notification by the President in 2002, it was mentioned that the ecosystem of the St Martin's Island had been left in a critical state due to different unplanned activities there and the situation might deteriorate. To protect the island the environment ministry immediately had to establish a marine park and ensure eco-tourism there.
The gazette notification prohibited the following activities from the day of publication of the notification: collection of coral and stone, construction of any physical structure without permission of the authority concerned, use of stone and coral stone for any construction work, collection of tortoise and other animals, felling of trees, activities which can destroy habitat of animals and greenery and other activities that can lead to the change of characteristics of land and water and fish and other sea animals.
Talking to the FE, ministry sources, tourism experts and entrepreneurs expressed their sheer frustration over the present vulnerable condition of the island.
They said Bangladesh could benefit both economically and environmentally by exploring the mine of resources the island offers.
A ministry official said he was hopeless about St Martin's, as it had been already on the verge of destruction.
The vested interest groups active there were not willing to allow others there and the environment ministry seemingly would never work for developing eco-tourism there. So, nothing positive would happen to boost tourism unless the prime minister interfered, he observed.
Tour operators and others were hosting visitors beyond the capacity of the island, polluting the environment, as there was no code of conduct and monitoring authority, he added.
In the audit report it was mentioned that despite declaration of the island an ecologically critical area (ECA), there was no control of the government on land and tourism resulting in uncontrolled land business, construction of hotels/motels and multistoried building. Resultantly the land prices also increased abnormally.
Although a marine park was set to be established in the island, the government could not acquire land after long seven years since the project was initiated. Although land registration was prohibited to curb the flow of outsiders who wanted to purchase land there, it was not followed at all.
According to the description of illegal structures, there are 33 hotels and restaurants in the island. Twenty-seven of them were built, when the project was going on and those did not have any clearance of the department of environment (DoE). At the time of the audit the population was 6000 including many Myanmar citizens.
In one of its 12 observations and recommendations, the audit report said the example of others could be followed to develop tourism and generate income through conservation of biodiversity of St Martin's.
The report said no comprehensive plan was ever done to exploit the resources of the island over the years while countries like Australia, Canada, UAE created artificial islands. Australia was earning USD 1.0 billion by conserving coral at Great Barrier Reef annually.
Experts say the St Martin's Island is the only place where sea-based tourism can be developed by introducing Self Contain Under-Water Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) diving, Snorkeling, visiting Whale Sharks available within 25 km of the island, underwater photography and marine park.
Environment Minister Anwar Hossain Manju told the FE that people of Bangladesh would someday be aware of the environment as it was a new issue for them. He also said the Prime Minister had been overseeing the environment issues including river saving.
"The environment ministry realises fine from the polluters at St Martin's Island. No one can construct any structure there without valid documents," said the minister.
He also agreed the island is mine of resources for the national economy if exploited properly.
"You should be careful in using these resources as it has many uses," he added.
The minister termed the land owners 'encroachers' as they were not allowed to purchase land there.
Regarding establishment of the marine park, he said they had a plan and they were appealing to foreign donors. The work would gather pace if the fund was available from the donors.
Rear Admiral (retd) Khurshed Alam, secretary of Maritime Affairs Unit under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the FE that buildings could be constructed in St Martin's Island as it is not a complete coral island. But in consideration of the biodiversity, the activities must be controlled.
As noise pollution created by the generators is harmful for the living creatures, electricity must be provided there through solar power or in any other way, he added.
He is also against removing the population from the island. But they must be aware and trained on protecting the island. But all kinds of pollution should be seriously handled, he observed.
Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) chief executive officer Akhteruzzaman Khan Kabir suggested prohibition of construction of any structure in St Martins, stock taking of the present structures, keeping a limited number of people for providing services to the tourists, providing training to the community people and building awareness, allowing foreign investment for the development of ecotourism, construction of eco-friendly resorts and supply of solar power to protect the island.
Source: The Financial Express
