Kindness to animals in St Martin's: Stray dogs get 8,000kg food relief, medical equipment
When the government decided to limit tourism in Saint Martin's island in Cox's Bazar, aiming to protect the country's lone coral island, the impact went far beyond the tourism sector.
Less people coming into the island wasn't only a dent in the coffers of businesses – the island's famous canine friends also suffered.
And then they began to starve to death.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
To mend this, a private volunteer organisation has started bringing food and medical relief programmes just for dogs on the island.
An eleven-member delegation from the Dhaka-based organisation Sammilito Prani Rakkha Parishad reached the island this afternoon (24 November).
Abdul Qayyum, who led the team, said the list of food items for the dogs includes 3,000 kilogrammes of dry dog food, and 5,000 kilogrammes of eggs, chicken, rice, and lentils.
"We will cook the food ourselves and feed the dogs."
As soon as they reached there, they started distributing food. A hungry pack of dogs gobbling up dry food spread out on the sand was a sight to see.
"Many innocent dogs are dying because they don't get enough food to eat on the island," Abdul said, adding that the food assistance sent in this first phase will be provided to all dogs on the island in phases.
"Our team is accompanied by two doctors and a vet assistant. We're providing medical equipment for 200 dogs," he added.
He also urged all who care about animals to come forward and help with the initiative.
St Martin's Island Union Parishad Chairman Mujibur Rahman said there are about 4,000 stray dogs who have been affected by the government's decision to restrict tourism.
"The food offered by tourists visiting the island during the peak season was the only means of survival for the dogs. But since that has yet to kick off, the dogs are facing a food crisis."
The local UP chairman said some dogs have already died due to a lack of food.
"Locals said every day, there are incidents of hungry dogs dying on parts of the island. So far, about 100 dogs were reported dead."
Arif Ullah Nizami, assistant commissioner (land) who is currently in charge as Teknaf's upazila nirbahi officer said this team brough relief for the dogs with the upazila administration's permission. "This is a good initiative."
Local resident Noor Mohammad said it would be better if some dogs were moved from the island to another place.
In 2022, the upazila administration and the Department of Environment decided to take 2,000 dogs from St Martin's to Golarchar in Shahpari Dwip in Sabrang Union of Teknaf in a move to reduce the number of dogs residing on the island.
Accordingly, in March 2022, 36 dogs from the island were shifted there.
But later, some environmental organisations opposed this citing the relevant law.
Section 7 of the Animal Welfare Act, 2019 states that killing or removing a stray animal is a punishable offence
In the face of their demands, the dog relocation process was halted. Later last year, around 70% of the island's dogs were vaccinated.
Criticising the government's decision of restricting tourism, former UP member of St Martin's Habibur Rahman said the entire island has been in extreme financial distress.
"Because there is no alternative livelihood on this island except the tourism business."
Although fishing was once the main source of livelihood for the people of the island, now the majority are involved in tourism.
"Either we should be given alternative employment, or arrangements should be made to send food to the people of the island," he said.
