Dhaka, June 28 -- Government-imposed restrictions on tourism at St Martin's Island, Bangladesh's only coral island located in Teknaf upazila of Cox's Bazar, are beginning to show promising signs of ecological recovery, according to the Department of Environment (DoE).

These early improvements could set the stage for sustainable tourism on the island.

DoE officials reported that recent monitoring reveals healthier coral reefs, a return of sea turtles, and a growing population of sea snails-key indicators of the island's biodiversity resurgence.

"We are in close contact with local authorities and the community on St Martin's, and the natural resources are clearly improving," said Md AKM Rafiqul Islam, director of Natural Resources at the...