Assessing and Improving Land Use on Saint Martin Island, Bangladesh: Insights from a Comprehensive Survey

Sayma Shikdar

doi:10.18535/ijsrm/v12i09.fe01

Abstract

Saint-Martin Island, the only coral island of Bangladesh, covers an area of 8 square kilometers and is a popular tourist destination. Despite its small population of approximately 8,000 residents, effective land utilization is crucial for improving the island's economic condition. With growing population pressures and limited land availability, scientific land use planning becomes essential. This research aims to develop a comprehensive land use plan by conducting a detailed land use survey of Saint-Martin Island. A plot map was obtained from the local land office, and an onsite survey was performed to assess current land use practices. The analysis revealed that a significant portion of the land remains unused, with only 0.6% designated for farming. The majority of residents live in shanties, and multi-storied buildings are rare. Additionally, the number of educational institutions is insufficient. The study highlights the need to cease overexploitation of natural resources and convert unused lands into farmland. A strategic plan for agriculture, fishing, and sustainable resource use is recommended to ensure long-term sustainability and economic development.

Keywords

Saint Martin IslandLand use surveyLand use planningOn site survey

References

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[refR-1] S, J., & Quamruzzaman, J.M. (2010). Land use planning for development of environmentally sensitive areas: Case study of St. Martin's Island, Bangladesh. Studies in Regional Science, 40(4), 1079-1092. https://doi.org/10.2457/srs.40.1079DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-2] Rauf, A., Marufa, K. (2009) ভূগোল গবেষনণা পদ্বতি তত্ত্ব ও প্রয়োগ [Geography research theory and application] (4th edition). Sujneshu ProkashoniGoogle Scholar ↗

[refR-3] Young, H. E., & Filley, R. B. (1941). An Analysis of the Purposes of a Land Use Survey. Journal of the American Institute of Planners, 7(3), 3–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/01944364108979127DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-4] Baldev S., Parihar, J.S., Shailesh N.,Singh T.P., Mulley M.V., Tiwari C., Tamilarasn, V., Shende D., Samuel T., Thomas C. , Gopinathan G., Vijayan G., Rajamohan K., Nair G. . (1985). Land-use survey of Idukki District. International Journal of Remote Sensing. 6. 507-515. 10.1080/01431168508948472.DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-5] Lin, L., Hao, Z., Post, C. J., Mikhailova, E. A., Yu, K., Yang, L., & Liu, J. (2020). Monitoring land cover change on a rapidly urbanizing island using Google Earth Engine. Applied Sciences, 10(20), 7336. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10207336DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-6] Thompson, P. M., & Islam, M. A. (Eds.). (2010). Environmental profiles of St. Martin’s Island. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bangladesh.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-7] Roy, B. (2020). Land use & socio-environmental studies of Saint Martin’s Island in 2020 (Unpublished master's thesis). Department of Geography and Environmental Science, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-8] Mannan, A. (2016). A Geographical Expedition on Saint-Martin (Unpublished master's thesis). Department of Geography and Environmental Science, Jahangir Nagar University, Dhaka.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-9] Amin, M. A., Kabir, A. B., Alam, M. J., Ahmed, K. M., Kamal, A. M., & Khan, M. R. (2022). Assessment of Groundwater Resources and Its Sustainability in the St. Martin’s Island, Bangladesh. The Dhaka University Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 10(3), 63–72. https://doi.org/10.3329/dujees.v10i3.59072.DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-10] Muhibbullah, & Sarwar, I. (2017). Land use pattern, drainage system and waste management of Saint Martin’s Island: A geo-environmental study. Journal of Geography and Geology, 9(4), 69-79. https://doi.org/10.5539/jgg.v9n4p69DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-11] Hossain, M. S., Chowdhury, S. R., & Rashed-un-Nabi, M. (2007). Resource mapping of Saint Martin’s Island using satellite image and ground observations. Journal of Forestry & Environment, 5, 23-36.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-12] Alam, O., Deng, T. L., Uddin, M. N., & Alamgir, M. (2015). Application of environmental ethics for sustainable development and conservation of Saint Martin’s Island in Bangladesh. Environmental Science & Natural Resources, 8(1), 19-27. https://doi.org/10.3329/jesnr.v8i1.24628DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-13] Ahmed, R., Mahmud, K. H., Hafsa, B., Tuya, J. H., Reza, E., & Coalee, U. M. (2023). Climate change impact on land use and land cover change on Saint Martin's Island, Bangladesh. Journal of Coastal Conservation, 27(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-023-00954-yDOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-14] Irin P., Anwarul I., Farida P., Roushon J., Jamal F., Billal H., Khayrul I., Md. Manik S (2024). Assessment of land use transition and crop intensification using geospatial technology in Bangladesh, Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Volume 9,2024,100660. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2024.100660.DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-15] Rana, M. S., Faruk, M. O., Begum, N., & Tabassum, M. (2019). Trend analysis of land utilization in Bangladesh. International Journal of Engineering Technologies and Management Research, 6(2), 39-46. https://doi.org/10.29121/ijetmr.v6.i2.2019.354DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗