After a brief hiatus, tourist ships have resumed operations on the Cox’s Bazar-Saint Martin route as of 10:30am on Sunday (1 December).
The inaugural journey carried approximately 700 passengers to the picturesque island, bringing relief to local tourism operators.
Although services were initially scheduled to restart on Thursday, the “Keari Sindbad” vessel was unable to depart due to a shortage of passengers.
Concurrently, a robust environmental initiative aimed at reducing the use of polythene and single-use plastics on Saint Martin’s Island commenced on Saturday, spearheaded by 10 teams from the Department of Environment.
These teams will oversee monitoring, scanning, and other responsibilities until 31 December.
Cox’s Bazar Additional Deputy Magistrate (ADM) Nizam Uddin Ahmed, confirmed that as of yesterday evening, three vessels have received official approval from the district administration to operate on the route.
This approval was granted after meticulous scrutiny, adhering to directives issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
A directive issued on Thursday by the Department of Environment outlined the formation of 10 teams, led by officials tasked with implementing eco-friendly measures.
Jamir Uddin, deputy director of the Department of Environment’s Cox’s Bazar office, stated that passengers aboard the ships will be provided with complimentary jute bags to discourage the transport and use of polythene and single-use plastics.
The government is working collaboratively with all stakeholders to achieve its goal of transforming Saint Martin’s Island into a polythene- and single-use-plastic-free zone, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable tourism and environmental preservation.
