Cox’s Baza’ar Correspondent:

The government has launched a cleanup drive to protect the environment and biodiversity of ecologically vulnerable St. Martin’s Island.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change started the two-day drive on Wednesday in coordination with the local administration that involves 200 local volunteers.

Over the past two months, the Sustainability Alliance also conducted cleanup activities on the island.

Under the local administration’s initiative, a significant amount of waste, including single-use plastics, has been collected and removed in the last two months, according to the ministry.

Besides, 241 kg of plastic and 87 kg of polythene were collected from the ship docks to prevent marine pollution.

Through the plastic exchange stores, 14.3 metric tons of plastic waste were removed from St. Martin’s, while 67.3 metric tons were cleared from Cox’s Bazar.

In December and January, a daily cap of 2,000 tourists was imposed, with an average of 1,694 visitors arriving on the island each day during this period.

Several ships were warned for carrying excess passengers, and two were fined.

To raise awareness among tourists and locals, informational signboards and graffiti were placed across the island.

Besides, under the Beach Management Committee (BMC), 10 cleaners and six lifeguards are working round the clock to maintain beach cleanliness and safety.