Land Use Pattern, Drainage System and Waste Management of Saint Martain’s Island: A Geo-Environmental Study

Saint Martin’s island is one of the unique coral islands and popular tourist destinations in Bangladesh due to its location and favourable environmental condition. The present study has been taken to know the present and past land use pattern, and to explore the existing drainage system and wastes management of Saint Martin’s island in Bangladesh. To achieve the goals of the study, both primary and secondary data have been collected and incorporated. Primary data have been collected through field observation, questionnaire survey, and focus group discussion (FGD). Total 200 questionnaires have been conducted by random sampling during summer and winter season in the year of 2015. Secondary data were also collected from various official records and related researchers’ publications and articles. It is observed from the study that land use pattern of Saint Martin’s island has already been changed and still changing randomly due to increase of inhabitants, settlers and tourists. Most of the agricultural land and vacant lands are going to turn into the hotels, resorts and other human settlements. There is no structural drainage system in this Island. Moreover, most of the wastes are going to be produced by the tourists, fishermen, hotels and restaurants. The present study suggested taking necessary initiate through solving the waste mismanagement problem and proper drainage system for this unique coral island.Â