Bangladesh issues waterway safety rules and reviews Saint Martin tourism

The Ministry of Shipping has issued 16 directives to ensure passenger safety during the Durga Puja festival. These measures include prohibiting the operation of unfit vessels, banning speedboat travel at night, and preventing the collection of extra fares. To mitigate accidents, rescue vessels must remain on standby, and passengers must use designated terminal pontoons rather than boarding or disembarking from launches in the middle of rivers.

Separately, the Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Abdul Awal Mintu, announced that regulations regarding tourism on Saint Martin's Island may be reviewed. The government is considering adjustments to the duration of visits, the number of tourists allowed, and departure locations for transport ships. While existing protections for biodiversity—such as prohibitions on noise, light pollution, and certain activities in Kea forests—will remain in place, the ministry aims to balance tourism with environmental preservation, waste management, and freshwater availability.