Context:
Recently, after former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resignation, St Martin’s Island came into controversy over its lease to another nation.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Key Facts about St Martin’s Island:
- St Martin’s Island is situated in the northeastern Bay of Bengal, close to the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar.
- The island is 9 kilometers from the southern tip of Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf peninsula.
- It stretches over 7.3 kilometers in length and rises about 3.6 meters above sea level.
- It is the only coral island in Bangladesh and serves as a breeding ground for sea turtles.
- Historical Background: Historically part of the Teknaf peninsula, the island was submerged around 5,000 years ago. The southern parts of today’s island resurfaced about 450 years ago, with the remaining areas emerging over the next century.
- Early Settlements: Arab merchants were among the first settlers during the 18th century, initially naming the island “Jazira” or “the island” and later renaming it “Narikel Jinjira” or “Coconut Island”.
- Colonial Era: In 1900, the island was annexed by British India and named after the then Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong, Martin.
- Post-Colonial Status: Following the partition of British India in 1947, the island became part of Pakistan and later transitioned to being part of independent Bangladesh after the 1971 Liberation War.
-Source: The Hindu
