Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. -File Photo

DHAKA, April 13, 2025 (BSS) - The government is taking various initiatives to ensure that limiting tourism on Saint Martin’s Island does not harm the livelihoods of its local community, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said.
 
She said alternative livelihood opportunities will be created for protection and restoration of the island’s biodiversity.
Rizwana said this while presiding over a meeting held at ministry’s conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat here today.

To identify suitable alternative employment, a working team has been formed with the Director General of the Department of Environment (DoE) as convener, she said. 
 
The environment adviser said the committee included representatives from the Department of Agricultural Extension, Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh Tourism Board, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Forest Department, District Administration, BRAC, and COAST Foundation.
 
The team will soon submit recommendations for necessary actions to the government, Rizwana said.

The meeting discussed possible support for fishing, including the distribution of environment-friendly nets and modern devices. 

At the meeting, it was informed that branding initiatives will be introduced for marketing dried fish while opportunities for seaweed and mushroom cultivation, vegetable farming, poultry and livestock rearing, content creation, blogging, and photography training will be considered too.
 
For women, training will be provided in tailoring, traditional embroidery (nakshi kantha), souvenir making using coconut husk, shells, and cane, as well as rope and handicrafts production from coconut coir.

Measures will be taken to increase dried fish production and improve market access to Teknaf and Cox’s Bazar. These initiatives aim to boost the income of local residents and support a sustainable future for Saint Martin’s Island, said sources at the ministry.

Secretary of the Ministry of Environment Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Additional Secretary (Environment) Dr Fahmida Khanom, Director General of the Department of Environment Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman, Deputy Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar, representatives from police, coast guard, UNO of Teknaf, Chairman of Saint Martin Union Parishad, and officials from various government and non-government organizations were present.