:St. Martin's Island

Millennia ago, the island used to be an extension of the Teknaf peninsula, but as a portion of the peninsula was flooded by the Bay of Bengal and submerged, the southernmost part of the peninsula became an island. The island was first settled in the 18th century by Arabian merchants, who named it "Jazira". During British occupation, the island was named after the then Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong, Mr. Martin, as St. Martin Island.{{cite web|title=St. Martin Island, History, Location, how to go ?|url=https://www.travelandexplorebd.com/post/st-martin-island-history-location-how-to-go|website=Travel & Explore BD}} Local names of the island are "Narikel Jinjira {{cite web |last=Haque |first=MD Mohaiminul |date=2022-12-06 |title=Saint Martin Bangladesh: A Little Heaven |url=https://incredibleasia.org/saint-martin-bangladesh/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Incredible Asia}}

," which means "Coconut Island," and "Daruchini Dip," which means "Cinnamon Island".

The island makes up the Saint Martin's Union Parishad. It has 9 villages/areas:

File:UP complex of St. Martin's Island.jpg

• Paschim Para (Western Neighbourhood)
• Deil Para
• Uttar Para (Northern Neighbourhood)
• Majher Para (Middle Neighbourhood)
• Purba Para (Eastern Neighbourhood)
• Konar Para (Edge Neighbourhood)
• Nazrul Para (Neighbourhood of Nazrul)
• Golachipa (literally "narrow neck")
• Dakkhin Para (Southern Neighbourhood)

File:Saint Martin1.jpg

The island's economy is primarily based on fishing, which supports the majority of its roughly 3,700 inhabitants.{{cite book |last=Chowdhury |first=Sifatul Quader |year=2012 |chapter=St Martin's Island |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=St_Martin%27s_Island |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=Asiatic Society of Bangladesh}} The other staple crops are rice and coconut. Being very common on the island, algae are collected, dried, and exported to Myanmar. Between October and April, the fishermen from neighbouring areas bring their caught fish to the island's temporary wholesale market. However, imports of chicken, meat and other foods come in from mainland Bangladesh and Myanmar. As the centre and the south are mainly farmland and makeshift huts, most of the permanent structures are around the far north of the island.

During the rainy season, because of the dangerous conditions on the Bay of Bengal, the inhabitants are unable to travel to mainland (Teknaf), leaving the island isolated. There is a hospital on the island, but in the past there has often been no doctor.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}

Research by the Bangladesh Department of Environment (DoE), with the assistance of the UNDP, demonstrates that the island has a number of ecosystems, including coral-rich areas, mangroves, lagoons and stony areas. The island is a safe haven to various species of fauna. The presence of 153 species of sea weeds, 66 species of coral, 187 species of oysters, 240 species of fish, 120 species of birds, 29 species of reptiles and 29 species of mammals were recorded at the St Martin's Island in 2010.{{Cite web|last1=Zinnat|first1=Mohammad Ali|last2=Roy|first2= Pinaki|date=2015-10-16|title=Biodiversity of St Martin's under threat|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/biodiversity-st-martins-under-threat-157891|access-date=2022-03-18|website=The Daily Star|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2010-03-09|title=St. Martin's Island and its unique biodiversity face serious threats|url=https://www.iucn.org/content/st-martins-island-and-its-unique-biodiversity-face-serious-threats|access-date=2021-09-16|website=IUCN|language=en}}{{Cite journal|last1=Alam|first1=O|last2=Deng|first2=TL|last3=Uddin|first3=MN|last4=Alamgir|first4=M|date=2015-08-24|title=Application of Environmental Ethics for Sustainable Development and Conservation of Saint Martin's Island in Bangladesh|journal=Journal of Environmental Science and Natural Resources|volume=8|issue=1|pages=19–27|doi=10.3329/jesnr.v8i1.24628|issn=2408-8633|doi-access=free}}{{Cite journal|last1=Paul|first1=Sulav Indra|last2=Rahman|first2=Md. Mahbubur|last3=Salam|first3=Mohammad Abdus|last4=Khan|first4=Md. Arifur Rahman|last5=Islam|first5=Md. Tofazzal|date=December 2021|title=Identification of marine sponge-associated bacteria of the Saint Martin's island of the Bay of Bengal emphasizing on the prevention of motile Aeromonas septicemia in Labeo rohita|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.737156|journal=Aquaculture|volume=545|pages=737156|doi=10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.737156|issn=0044-8486|url-access=subscription}} The area in vicinity has been declared as a Marine Protected Area in 2022.Wildlife Conservation Society, 2022, [https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17095/A-New-Marine-Protected-Area-to-Protect-Biodiversity-and-Coral-Habitat-Around-Saint-Martins-Island-in-Bangladesh.aspx A New Marine Protected Area to Protect Biodiversity and Coral Habitat Around Saint Martin’s Island in Bangladesh]The Business Standard, 2021, [https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/high-powered-team-suggested-supervision-marine-protected-areas-350593 High-powered team suggested for supervision of marine protected areas]

Marine sponges and their associated microbes produce an enormous array of antitumor, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, antibiotic and other bioactive molecules.{{Cite journal|last1=Hentschel|first1=Ute|last2=Piel|first2=Jörn|last3=Degnan|first3=Sandie M.|last4=Taylor|first4=Michael W.|date=2012-07-30|title=Genomic insights into the marine sponge microbiome|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro2839|journal=Nature Reviews Microbiology|volume=10|issue=9|pages=641–654|doi=10.1038/nrmicro2839|pmid=22842661 |s2cid=16172507 |issn=1740-1526|url-access=subscription}}{{Cite journal|last1=Souza|first1=Danilo T.|last2=Genuário|first2=Diego B.|last3=Silva|first3=Fabio Sérgio P.|last4=Pansa|first4=Camila C.|last5=Kavamura|first5=Vanessa N.|last6=Moraes|first6=Fernando C.|last7=Taketani|first7=Rodrigo G.|last8=Melo|first8=Itamar S.|date=2016-10-03|title=Analysis of bacterial composition in marine sponges reveals the influence of host phylogeny and environment|journal=FEMS Microbiology Ecology|volume=93|issue=1|pages=fiw204|doi=10.1093/femsec/fiw204|pmid=27702764 |issn=1574-6941|doi-access=free}} A total of 15 bacterial genera comprising 31 different bacterial species from the 9 collected marine sponges of the island. Among them Bacillus subtilis strains WS1A and YBS29 have great probiotic potential.{{Cite journal|last1=Rahman|first1=M. Mahbubur|last2=Paul|first2=Sulav Indra|last3=Akter|first3=Tasmina|last4=Tay|first4=Alfred Chin Yen|last5=Foysal|first5=M. Javed|last6=Islam|first6=M. Tofazzal|date=2020-09-24|title=Whole-Genome Sequence of Bacillus subtilis WS1A, a Promising Fish Probiotic Strain Isolated from Marine Sponge of the Bay of Bengal|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mra.00641-20|journal=Microbiology Resource Announcements|volume=9|issue=39|doi=10.1128/mra.00641-20|pmid=32972930 |issn=2576-098X|pmc=7516141}}{{Cite journal |last1=Paul |first1=Sulav Indra |last2=Rahman |first2=M. Mahbubur |date=2022-09-26 |editor-last=Gill |editor-first=Steven R. |title=Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus subtilis YBS29, a Potential Fish Probiotic That Prevents Motile Aeromonas Septicemia in Labeo rohita |journal=Microbiology Resource Announcements |volume=11 |issue=10 |language=en |pages=e00915–22 |doi=10.1128/mra.00915-22 |pmid=36154193 |pmc=9583808 |issn=2576-098X}} It can produce antimicrobial compounds and prevent motile Aeromonas septicemia disease (a major fish disease in Bangladesh) of Rohu (Labeo rohita). Bacillus subtilis strains WS1A and YBS29 produce different types of antimicrobial peptides. Fish (Labeo rohita) fed with extracellular products of Bacillus subtilis strains WS1A and YBS29 develop complete disease resistance. The metabolites and bioactive compounds derived from marine sponges and sponge microbes also afford abundant potential for pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications.

File:M.V. Bangali. (32191488734).jpg

The only way to reach Saint Martin Island is by water transportation: boats and ships (mostly for tourists) from Cox Bazar and Teknaf. It is the southernmost union of Bangladesh situated 120  km away from Cox's Bazar city. The internal transport for the island is battery-driven auto rickshaw, bike or bi-cycle. The roads are made of concrete, and their condition is decent. Most hotels run generators until 11 PM which is not allowed afterward, so they rely on solar power, which is popular throughout the island. There had been no electricity supply from the national grid since a hurricane in 1991 but now the electricity supply is decent and many shops and resorts also use diesel generator or solar panels to meet the demand.

File:Blue Marine.jpg

Saint Martin Island has become a tourist spot, and eight shipping liners run daily trips to the island. Nowadays, tourist has become friendly to Eco tourism. Tourists can book their trip either from Chittagong or from Cox's Bazar. The surrounding coral reef has an extension named Chera Dwip. A small bush is there, which is the only green part. People do not live on this part, so it is advisable for the tourists to go there early and come back by afternoon.{{original research inline|date=February 2019}}

A number of efforts have been proposed to preserve the several endangered species of turtles that nest on the island, as well as the corals, some of which are found only on Narikel Jinjira.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}} Pieces of the coral reef are being removed to be sold to tourists.{{cite web |url=http://www.eturbonews.com/1344/tourists-discover-saint-martin-island |title=Tourists discover Saint Martin island |access-date=2009-01-19 |publisher=eTurbo News |date=February 19, 2008 }} Nesting turtles are sometimes taken for food, and their hatchlings are often distracted by the twinkling lights along the beach. Fish, a few recently discovered, are being overfished. Every year the fishermen must venture further out to sea to get their catch. Most of them use motor-less boats.

It is possible to walk around the island in a day because it measures only 8 km² (3 sq. mile), shrinking to about 5 km² (2 sq. mi) during high tide. The island is based on sedimentary rock. Its north-eastern side and southern-most part including Chhera Dwip is surrounded by sparse coral colonies. The sedimentary rocky reef surrounding the island is often misunderstood as ‘coral reef’

Saint Martin lost 70% of its coral reef between 1980 and 2018 due to anthropogenic factors.{{cite journal |last1=Gazi |first1=Md. Yousuf |last2=Mowsumi |first2=Tahrim Jannat |last3=Ahmed |first3=Md. Kawser |title=Detection of Coral Reefs Degradation using Geospatial Techniques around Saint Martin's Island, Bay of Bengal |journal=Ocean Science Journal |date=September 2020 |volume=55 |issue=3 |page=429 |doi=10.1007/s12601-020-0029-3|bibcode=2020OSJ....55..419G |s2cid=221494916 }} This is an estimation based on Geospatial Techniques. Field level research data in this regard is nearly non-existent.

Fishing is one of largest professional activities of St. Martin's Island's 5,500 residents; however, territorial disputes between Myanmar and Bangladesh have resulted in a state of tension between the countries that can erupt into violence, often targeting unarmed Bangladeshi fishermen. Below is a brief summary of shooting incidents against St. Martin's fishermen:

• On October 7, 1998, between three and five Bangladeshi fishermen were killed by Burmese Navy forces just off the coast of St. Martin's Island.[http://www.burmalibrary.org/reg.burma/archives/199810/msg00195.html Myanmar Guards Kill Two Bangladeshis], October 8, 1998, Reuters
• On September 8, 1999, one Bangladeshi fisherman was shot and killed by Burmese Navy forces near Saint Martin Island. Nine crewmen from the victim's fishing boat abandoned it, swam for their lives, and were rescued by Bangladeshi forces. The Bangladeshi government lodged a formal protest note to Myanmar.[http://www.burmalibrary.org/reg.burma/archives/199909/msg00409.html Myanmar border guards kill Bangladeshi fisherman], September 8, 1999, Reuters
• On August 20, 2000, the Bangladeshi police{{Cite web |title=Bangladesh Police |url=https://www.police.gov.bd/en/history |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240421160219/https://www.police.gov.bd/en/history |archive-date=2024-04-21 |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=www.police.gov.bd |language=en}} reported that Burmese border guards had shot and killed four Bangladeshi fishermen off the coast of St. Martin's Island.Reuters, August 20, 2000
• In 2011 pirates attacked fishermen 5 km off the coast of Saint Martin Island and killed four of them.{{cite news |title=Four fishermen shot dead by pirates in bay |url=http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/archive_details.php?date=2011-08-29&nid=31791 |work=New Age |date=August 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129183418/http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/archive_details.php?date=2011-08-29&nid=31791 |archive-date=January 29, 2013}}
• On 6 October 2018, the Government of Myanmar updated its 2015-2018 map of Myanmar Information Management Unit showing St. Martin as a part of their sovereign territory and spread the maps in two global websites. Following the event, the Myanmar Ambassador in Dhaka was summoned by the Government of Bangladesh on 6 October 2018. Rear Admiral (retd) M Khurshed Alam, maritime affairs secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Bangladesh handed over a strongly worded protest note to him. The Myanmar envoy said it was a "mistake" to show the Saint Martin Island as part of his country's territory.{{cite news |author=Md. Azhar Uddin Bhuiyan |title=Legal implication of Myanmar's claim over Saint Martin|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/law-our-rights/news/legal-implication-myanmars-claim-over-st-martin-1647271 |work=The Daily Star|location=Bangladesh |date=16 October 2018|access-date=25 September 2019}}
• On June 11 2024, an unidentified armed group from Myanmar fired upon an island-bound speed boat along the Naf River. Moreover, warships belonging to Myanmar are now visible from Saint Martin’s.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-09 |title=Over 300 Myanmar troops flee into Bangladesh during fighting with armed ethnic group |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2024/02/09/over-300-myanmar-troops-flee-into-bangladesh-during-fighting-with-armed-ethnic-group |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=The Star |language=en}}

The best weather is usually between November and February; this is the major tourist season. Between March and July, cyclones can strike. The island was devastated by a cyclone in 1991 but has fully recovered, and was untouched by the 2004 tsunami. March to July is off-season for tourists.

File:Keya Tree of Saint Martin Island.JPG|Keya Tree (Pandanus odorifer) of Saint Martin's Island

File:Saint Martin's Island.JPG|East view of Saint Martins Island

File:Coconut garden Saint Martins Island.jpg|Coconut garden Saint Martins Island

File:Light house at St. Martin's Island.jpg|Light house of St. Martin's Island

Saint Martin (6).jpg|Boats at St. Martin's Island

{{portal|Islands}}

• List of islands of Bangladesh
• Tourism in Bangladesh
• List of lighthouses in Bangladesh

{{reflist}}

• Islam, M. Z. 2001. First Reef Check Survey in Bangladesh. Reef Check Newsletter, Volume-6, Issue 2, August 2006.
• Islam, M. Z. 2005. St. Martin Pilot Project, National Conservation Strategy (NCS) Implementation Project-1, Final Report, Ministry of Environment & Forest, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, 2001, 119 pp.
• Marinelife Alliance, 2016. Final Report: Conservation of Sea Turtle along Bangladesh Coastal & Marine Territory, under Strengthening Regional Protection for Wildlife Protection Project (SRCWPP), Bangladesh Forest Department, Project ID-W2-06, 2013. 2016 Dec, 112 Pg.

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• {{Wikivoyage inline}}
• {{cite web|url=http://geoportal.icimod.org/TrainingandEducation/youthcorner/Posters/Poster_Marufa.pdf|title=Conservation Of Ecosystem And Biodiversity of Saint Martin's Island in Bangladesh|author=Marufa Ishaque|access-date=2013-02-27|archive-date=2014-02-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222070726/http://geoportal.icimod.org/TrainingandEducation/youthcorner/Posters/Poster_Marufa.pdf|url-status=dead}}
• {{cite web|url=http://en.ptbnewsbd.com/saint-martin-island-the-beauty-queen-in-bay-of-bengal|title=Saint Martin Island: The Beauty Queen in Bay of Bengal|access-date=2017-01-25|archive-date=2017-10-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021044232/http://en.ptbnewsbd.com/saint-martin-island-the-beauty-queen-in-bay-of-bengal/|url-status=dead}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/bangladesh/chittagong-division/st-martins-island|title=Lonely Planet}}

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