It is quite infuriating to see how Saint Martin’s Island is being destroyed not by ignorance, but by the reckless entitlement of the very public who claim to love it.

Our only coral island and among the most treasured natural resources we have, declared an ecologically critical area for decades now, is now at the mercy of reckless tourism.

That visitors from all walks of life are breaching restricted zones before dawn, littering beaches with plastic, blasting loudspeakers, and are cooking on nesting grounds for wildlife is, frankly, shameful behaviour.

Indeed, to call this leisure would be doing it a disservice. It is vandalism disguised as entertainment.

While we can sympathize with enforcers since these violations occur long before morning, nevertheless, we need to see more initiative to protect our natural treasures and this starts with having rules that will not be flouted without consequences all the time.

We must also expect better from our public who must abandon this callous recklessness and respect the rules that exist so that we can enjoy the beauty of this island for generations to come.

The evidence for conservation is undeniable as well. When tourism was suspended for nine months in 2025, nature rebounded. Conservation works but only if given priority and Saint Martin’s cannot sustain the thousands who descend on it during peak season.

Conservation must take precedence over convenience and anything less is complicity in ecological destruction. Unchecked tourism has already caused too much damage to Bangladesh’s natural beauty, and if we do not get serious about addressing it through stricter regulations, we risk losing these scenic destinations forever.