Islanders protest tourism restrictions in Saint Martin’s

Students and locals organised a human chain and mass procession in protest against the restrictions on tourists and the ban on overnight stays in Saint Martin's Island.

The program was held across Saint Martin's island on Wednesday at around 3 pm.

In the procession, student leader Towhidul Islam stated that the government must reverse its decision to restrict tourists and ban overnight stays in Saint Martin's Island.

"If the decision is not changed, we will be forced to call for a more intense movement", he said. 

He further added that 80 per cent of the island's population depends on the tourism business.

"If our family's income and employment are halted, our studies will also be interrupted. This could lead to an increase in anti-social activities in society", Islam said. 

Tourism in Saint Martin’s Island will be limited for the next four months – November to February as per the decision taken by The Council of Advisers, Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy on Tuesday. 

He said the tourists will be allowed in Saint Martin’s Island in November but they cannot stay there at night.

In December and January, the tourists will be allowed there and they will stay at night. However, the number of tourists cannot exceed 2000 per day.

On the other hand, tourists will not be allowed in February to clean the Island and protect the environment.