Livelihood in peril as tourism restrictions stall life in Saint Martin’s Island

The interim government has not only imposed restrictions on tourist arrivals to Saint Martin’s Island but also enforced several limitations on local fishing and other activities. As a result, the island’s tourism-dependent residents now face a severe livelihood crisis.

Saint Martin’s—the country’s only coral island rising out of the Bay of Bengal—is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and used to attract both local and international tourists year-round. Just two years ago, the island was bustling with thousands of visitors during the tourist season, with a notable number coming during the off-season as well. For over two decades, the livelihoods of the islanders have largely revolved around tourism.

However, the Ministry of Environment and other related government agencies argue that the island’s ecosystem and biodiversity have been severely threatened by excessive tourist traffic and plastic waste. As a result, tourism access to Saint Martin’s was first restricted last year, and again more stringently from February 1 this year for nine months. This time, various limitations were also imposed on the locals.

According to the Department of Environment, only 2,000 tourists are now allowed on the island daily during the peak tourist season from October 1 to March 31. Overnight stays are banned during November and December. Only in January and February are overnight stays permitted, while at other times, travel by tourists and outsiders alike is restricted.

Over 10,500 people reside on the island. While fishing and agriculture were traditionally the main sources of livelihood, growing tourism over the last 20 years led most residents to shift towards tourism-based income. Many supplemented their income from traditional means with the earnings from the six-month tourist season. But with the restrictions in place, hotels, cottages, resorts, restaurants, and other tourism-based businesses remain closed—leaving the islanders in a dire state of economic hardship.

Nur Banu, a resident of East Saint Martin, shared her struggles, saying that “There were only two income earners in my family—my husband worked at a dried fish shop and my son earned by carrying luggage and selling shell jewelry to tourists on the beach. But even during peak season this year, tourists didn’t come. Now we’re struggling to afford two meals a day. We've long stopped using oil or spices in our food—we eat just once a day now.”

Another resident, Jane Alam, added, “I used to earn enough by selling coconuts on the beach to get by. The income I made during the season plus whatever I got from fishing would feed us through the year. But now, even fishing is restricted. Although we received some rice from the government as aid, affording other household expenses feels like carrying a mountain on my back.”

Local representatives say that with income sources on both land and sea shut down, not just ordinary residents but business owners are also suffering. Previously, tourists visited year-round, especially during the season. Now, hotels, cottages, resorts, and restaurants remain closed. On top of that, a 58-day fishing ban has rendered nearly 80% of the island’s population unemployed.

Khorshed Alam, a member of the Saint Martin Union Parishad, emphasized the urgency of support and said “If tourists are not allowed, the government must provide alternative livelihoods and monthly relief. The government stopped tourist entry in the name of protecting biodiversity but didn’t think about the islanders even once. Over the last 20–22 years, people here shifted professions—from fishing and farming to tourism-related jobs. Now, around 90% are involved in tourism and related work. With tourists gone, people are practically starving.”

He added, “After cutting off tourism, the government never looked back to check on the islanders. Nobody came to see how they would survive. If tourists are not allowed, then it's the government's responsibility to rehabilitate the people.”

In response, Cox’s Bazar District Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin said that various government agencies, including the ministries of environment and tourism, are implementing multifaceted plans to alleviate the suffering of Saint Martin’s residents. He said efforts are being made to create alternative employment and economic resilience for the locals.

Moeazzem Hossain, chairman of Save the Nature of Bangladesh, noted,
“We environmentalists never wanted the government to completely shut down tourist access to the island. What we asked for was regulated access. The government should have considered how people would survive year-round.”

“Instead of ensuring sustainable tourism, the government merely restricted access. No efforts have been made to remove heavy structures or preserve the environment effectively. We haven’t seen much being done by others either,” he added.

According to Moeazzem, the government should have focused on promoting eco-tourism by limiting visitor numbers and removing concrete infrastructure.
“If they fail to quickly create sustainable livelihoods and economic empowerment for the locals, people will eventually be forced to abandon the island in search of survival elsewhere,” he warned.