Legal Aspects of Coral Reef Management and Conservation in Bangladesh

Coral reefs remain some of the largest distinct ecosystem in the nature. In Bangladesh, coral reef grows thoroughly in the north-east region of the Bay of Bengal in Saint Martin Island. In Saint Martin Island near about 66 types of coral species are found. Coral reefs are significant for many different reasons aside from supposedly containing the most diverse ecosystems on the Earth. Coral reefs protect coastlines in many ways such as damaging effects of wave action, tropical storms, provide habitats and shelter for many marine organisms. Coral reefs are the dominant source of nitrogen and other essential nutrients for marine food chains. The Government of Bangladesh has declared eight (8) areas as Ecological Critical Areas (ECA) in 1999 and Saint Martin Island is one of them. Over-exploitation, huge tourist pressure and Illegal structures including hotels and resorts are biggest threat for the biodiversity of coral reefs. Bangladesh has already adopted many environmental laws and also part of many international environmental treaty and conventions. Coral reefs of Bangladesh are destroying day by day and there are no specific laws for protection of coral reefs. Globally there are many specific rules and regulations for protecting coral reefs. Legal framework on protecting coral reefs of Bangladesh is very much needy. A sound coral reef performs as a receiver of carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas which is the main culprit behind global warming. Furthermore, coral reef plays a great role in fighting against the greenhouse effect which is a burning issue of the present world. Bangladesh should take measures to improve enforcement of various environmental laws especially on marine environment, including adopting a revised policy on pollution prevention, developing a policy on prosecution to adopting a cooperative approach to execution of the Legal framework on protecting coral reefs of Bangladesh. Bangladesh may positively draw lessons from the global laws in these areas.