St Martin�s Island under threat

Rush of tourists and indiscriminate anchoring of boats are damaging the coral reefs, causing underwater pollution and changing the sediment dynamics of Saint Martin’s Island, according to experts.
A recent research conducted by M Shahidul Islam of the Department of Geography, Dhaka University, indicates that the physical environment of the area is under severe ecological stress and the damages to coral species have now reached an alarming stage.
Islam’s research, conducted using scuba diving, found that due to human intervention, out of 10 coral reefs, at least two have been broken-up, damaged or uprooted from their growth position and coral debris is clouding the water. The most damage has been caused by anchoring of hundreds of country boats that use very sharp metal anchors. While pulling up the anchors, the coral is broken into pieces. The fishermen also damage and disturb coral beds to save their nets, which get stuck during fishing.
On the other hand, breaking and collecting coral for sale to tourists is also endangering shallow water coral species. Besides, garbage strewn on shore or dumped into the sea by hotels and tourists is leading to pollution of the sea bed.
Shahidul Islam pointed out the detrimental effects of commercial tourism on St Martin’s and suggested that eco tourism be promoted in the area for preservation of coral reefs. He further suggested that tourism be prohibited in certain areas of the island, which is under severe threat from environmental degradation.
Meanwhile, declining flux of river-borne sediment to the coastal regions of Bangladesh is not enough to keep up with the sea level rise of 23mm per year, another research shows.
The deficit is likely to lead to accelerated inundation of the coastal plain, resulting in the displacement of millions of people, as well as threatening the very survival of the protected Sunderban mangrove forests, said Md Khalequzzaman, professor of Geology at Lock Haven University, USA.
The environmental experts presented their papers at a conference on ‘Coastal and Marine Environment of Bangladesh’, organised by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) and Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN) from January 8 to 9 in the capital.  
Experts from home and abroad shared findings of research conducted in various coastal regions, focussing on pressing issues affecting the livelihood of people living in the coastal areas of the country.

photos: courtesy

St Martin�s Island under threat

Rush of tourists and indiscriminate anchoring of boats are damaging the coral reefs, causing underwater pollution and changing the sediment dynamics of Saint Martins Island, according to experts. A recent research conducted by M Shahidul Islam of the Department of Geography, Dhaka University, indicates that the physical environment of the area is under severe ecological stress and the damages to coral species have now reached an alarming stage. Islams research, conducted using scuba diving, found that due to human intervention, out of 10 coral reefs, at least two have been broken-up, damaged or uprooted from their growth position and coral debris is clouding the water. The most damage has been caused by anchoring of hundreds of country boats that use very sharp metal anchors. While pulling up the anchors, the coral is broken into pieces. The fishermen also damage and disturb coral beds to save their nets, which get stuck during fishing. On the other hand, breaking and collecting coral for sale to tourists is also endangering shallow water coral species. Besides, garbage strewn on shore or dumped into the sea by hotels and tourists is leading to pollution of the sea bed. Shahidul Islam pointed out the detrimental effects of commercial tourism on St Martins and suggested that eco tourism be promoted in the area for preservation of coral reefs. He further suggested that tourism be prohibited in certain areas of the island, which is under severe threat from environmental degradation. Meanwhile, declining flux of river-borne sediment to the coastal regions of Bangladesh is not enough to keep up with the sea level rise of 23mm per year, another research shows. The deficit is likely to lead to accelerated inundation of the coastal plain, resulting in the displacement of millions of people, as well as threatening the very survival of the protected Sunderban mangrove forests, said Md Khalequzzaman, professor of Geology at Lock Haven University, USA. The environmental experts presented their papers at a conference on Coastal and Marine Environment of Bangladesh, organised by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) and Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN) from January 8 to 9 in the capital. Experts from home and abroad shared findings of research conducted in various coastal regions, focussing on pressing issues affecting the livelihood of people living in the coastal areas of the country. photos: courtesy