St. Martin's Island (Bengali: সেন্ট
মার্টিন্স
দ্বীপ)
is a small island (area only 8 km2) in the northeastern part of the Bay of
Bengal, about 9 km south of the tip of the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf peninsula, and
forming the southernmost part of Bangladesh. There is a small adjoining island
that is separated at high tide, called Chhera island. It is about 8 km west of
the northwest coast of Myanmar, at the mouth of the Naf River. The first
settlement started just 250 years ago by some Arabian sailors who named the
island ‘Zajira’. During British occupation the island was named St. Martin
Island. The local names of the island are "Narical Gingira", also
spelled "Narikel Jinjira/Jinjera", which means 'Coconut Island' in
Bengali, and "Daruchini Dip". It is the only coral island in
Bangladesh.
Inhabitants
Most of the island's approximately 3,700 inhabitants
live primarily from fishing. Besides, the other staple crops are rice and
coconut. Being very common in the island, algae are collected, then dried and
finally exported to Myanmar. Between October and April, the fishermen from neighboring
areas bring their caught fishes to the island's temporary wholesale market.
However exports of chicken, meat and other foods do come in from the mainland
Bangladesh and Myanmar (Burma). 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 have no scope to go to the
mainland (teknaf) and their life can become dangerous. There is now a hospital
on the island, but in the past there has often been no doctor.
Transportation
The only way to reach the place is the water
transportation i.e. boats and ships (mostly for tourists) from Teaknaf. Do not
expect to find taxis, tarred roads or electricity here in the island. Except
for the larger hotels that run on generators, there is no electricity supply
from the national grid in the island since a dangerous hurricane in the year
1999. The island is all about sun, sea and palm trees. During the day, the
island comes alive with water and beach sports, with beach parties and bonfires
lighting up the evening skies. 'Keari Sindbad'an advanced sea going vessel with
modern facilities for Tourists
Tourism
From 1989 to 2004, non-residential Bangladeshis and
foreigners were the only people permitted on the island; however, this has
changed and now residential Bangladeshis are allowed. St. Martin's Island has
become a popular tourist spot. Currently, five shipping liners run daily trips
to the island, including Shahid Sher Niabat, L C T Kutubdia, Eagle, Keari
Cruise & Dine and Keari-Sindbad. Tourists can book their trip either from
Chittagong or from Cox's Bazar. The surrounding coral reef of the island has an
extension named Chera Dwip. A small bush is there, which is the only green part
of Chera Dwip, enhancing the beauty of this island. People do not live on this
part of the island, so it is advisable for the tourists to go there early and
come back by afternoon.
In the past five years St. Martin's visitor
population has increased dramatically. While this situation has proven to be
lucrative for the islanders, it is causing the natural beauty of the island to
deteriorate. Presently there are many efforts being put forth 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 Jinjera. Pieces of the coral
reef are being removed in order to be sold to tourists.Nesting turtles are
sometimes taken for food, and their hatchlings are often distracted by the
twinkling lights along the beach. Species of fish, a few just recently
discovered, are being overfished. Every year the fishermen must venture further
out to sea to get their catch. Most of them use motorless 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 exists only because of its coral base, so
removal of that coral risks erosion of the beaches. Because of this, St.
Martin's has lost roughly 25% of its coral reef in the past seven years.
·
Front Side Scenic view of Saint Martins
Island
·
Back Side Scenic view Coral reef of
Saint Martin Island
·
Coral Reef Beach of Saint Martins Island
Shootings
of St. Martin's fishermen
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:
During Twilight of Saint Martin Island Back side
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.
On September 8, 1999 one Bangladeshi fisherman was
shot and killed by Burmese Navy forces near St. Martin's Island. Nine crewmen
from the victim's fishing boat abandoned their boat and swam for their lives
and were rescued by Bangladeshi forces, and the Bangladeshi government lodged a
formal protest note to Myanmar.
On August 20, 2000 the Bangladeshi police reported
that Burmese border guards had shot and killed four Bangladeshi fishermen off
the coast of St. Martin's Island.
In 2011
pirates attacked fishermen 5 km off the coast of St. Martin's Island and killed
four of them.
Climate
and weather
You will get the best weather usually between
November and February. Undoubtedly, this is the major tourist season. Between
March and July, a tourist must keep his eyes on the forecast keenly, as a
cyclone can strike during these times. The island was devastated by a cyclone
in 1991 but has fully recovered, and was untouched by the 2004 tsunami. Thus,
March to July is tourist off-season.
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