Cox’s Bazar | Bay Insight

To ensure conservation and sustainable management, a proposal has been prepared to divide St. Martin’s Island, the only coral island of Bangladesh, into four distinct zones. The zoning framework has been outlined in a draft master plan prepared by the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) under the Ministry of Water Resources.

The draft master plan was presented on Tuesday (6 January) at a workshop on the St. Martin’s Master Plan held at a hotel in the capital Dhaka. At the workshop, CEGIS Senior Expert H. M. Nurul Islam highlighted various aspects of the proposed plan.

According to the draft master plan, St. Martin’s Island is proposed to be divided into four zones: General Use Area, Controlled Resource Area, Sustainable Use Area, and Restricted Access Area.

General Use Area: Tourism and Settlement under Conditions

In the General Use Area (Zone 1), residential living, tourism activities, infrastructure development, and limited economic activities will be allowed. However, these activities must be conducted in line with environmentally friendly and sustainable development guidelines.

Activities harmful to the environment such as coral collection, pollution, night fishing using artificial lights, and high-speed vehicle movement are proposed to be prohibited in this zone.

Controlled Resource Area: Protective Buffer for Sensitive Zones

The Controlled Resource Area (Zone 2) has been identified as a buffer zone surrounding environmentally sensitive areas. Limited eco-friendly tourism and economic activities may be permitted here.

However, the draft plan proposes to ban illegal resort construction, deforestation, use of harmful agricultural chemicals, and collection of turtle eggs. Restrictions are also proposed on using lights or lighting fires on boats at night.

Sustainable Use Area: Nature Conservation Zone

In the Sustainable Use Area (Zone 3), human intervention is recommended to be kept to a minimum. No new settlements, infrastructure development, or environmentally altering activities will be allowed.

Mangrove forests, lagoons, and turtle nesting sites will fall under this zone and receive special protection. Public access will be limited, and high-speed vehicle movement will be prohibited.

Restricted Access Area: Strictest Conservation Measures

The strictest regulations are proposed for the Restricted Access Area (Zone 4). Following the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) standards for a “Strict Nature Reserve,” this zone is planned to be developed as a fully protected area.

Public access will be almost entirely prohibited. Activities such as settlement, resource extraction, fishing within 1,000 meters, causing pollution, or disturbing wildlife are proposed to be strictly banned.

Bay Insight | Cox’s Bazar

The cool weather currently affecting Cox’s Bazar is likely to persist for about another week, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said. However, despite the drop in temperature, the conditions do not qualify as a cold wave, the department clarified.

According to meteorological records, the lowest temperature ever recorded in Cox’s Bazar was 10.3 degrees Celsius on January 11, 2013. Even then, a cold wave was not declared in the district.

Data preserved since 1948 show that this coastal district has never met the criteria for a cold wave, the Cox’s Bazar office of the Meteorological Department said.

Meteorologists explained that a cold wave is declared only when temperatures fall below 10 degrees Celsius. In Cox’s Bazar, temperatures have never dropped below that threshold.

Abdul Hannan, assistant meteorologist at the Cox’s Bazar Meteorological Office, said the district’s geographical location and proximity to the sea help keep temperatures relatively stable. “Because of the coastal influence, even when winter intensifies, it does not turn into a cold wave,” he said.

On Tuesday, the district recorded a minimum temperature of 13.5 degrees Celsius, the lowest so far this year, according to the Meteorological Department. Winds were blowing at speeds of 15 to 20 kilometers per hour, adding to the more sensitivity of cold.

Doctors have warned that cold-related illnesses may increase during this period.

Sabuktogin Mahmud Shohel, resident medical officer at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, said people should avoid taking antibiotics on their own. “If anyone develops cold-related symptoms, they should not take antibiotics from local pharmacies without prescription. They must consult a registered physician,” he said.

He also advised extra caution for children during winter, saying they should not be taken outside in the morning, evening, or at night unless necessary, and should be kept warm with adequate clothing. Patients with asthma were also urged to take additional precautions during the cold season.