Govt to create alternative livelihoods for tourism-dependent communities in St Martin's Island: Rizwana 

The government is taking various initiatives to ensure that limiting tourism on Saint Martin's Island does not harm the livelihoods of its local communities, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Syeda Rizwana Hasan said today.

Alternative livelihood opportunities will be created while ensuring the protection and restoration of the island's biodiversity, she said while presiding over a meeting held at the Ministry's conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday.

To identify suitable alternative employment, a working team has been formed with the Director General of the Department of Environment as convener, said a ministry release.

The committee includes 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 its recommendations for necessary actions to the government.

The meeting discussed possible support for fishing, including the distribution of environment-friendly nets and modern devices. Branding initiatives will be introduced for marketing dried fish. 

Opportunities for seaweed and mushroom cultivation, vegetable farming, poultry and livestock rearing, content creation, blogging, and photography training were also considered. 

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.

Other initiatives will include educational support for students, tree plantation, waste management, and restaurant job training. Local youth will be trained in environmental awareness to serve as eco-tour guides. 

Land-based vegetable cultivation will also be encouraged. 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.

Among others, the meeting was attended by Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment; Dr. Fahmida Khanom, Additional Secretary (Environment); Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman, Director General of the Department of Environment; the Deputy Commissioner of Cox's Bazar; representatives from police, coast guard, the UNO of Teknaf, the Chairman of Saint Martin Union Parishad, and officials from various government and non-government organisations.