Our Journey to Jazeera

Jazeera, which later changed its name to Narikel Jinjira, is what I was talking about, an island 9 kilometers away from Teknaf, originally named 250 years ago. Later, the island was renamed St. Martin’s Island after the Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong, Martin. Martin was not a saintly monk; rather, the "Saint" part was added to the name in honor of the spiritual ascetics who visited the island.

On the way to Saint Martin, you’ll be accompanied by a group of seagulls.

Located in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal and to the south of Cox’s Bazar, Saint Martin is an island that stretches over an area of 8 square kilometers. About five thousand years ago, this island was an extended part of the Teknaf Peninsula. However, over time, it submerged into the sea. Nearly four hundred years ago, the southern part of the present Saint Martin island emerged. Over the following centuries, the northern part and other parts emerged, leading to the creation of the present Narikel Jinjira.

Enjoy the beauty of the Naf River from the ship's corridor.

The northern northern part, southern middle, and southern parts of the island are connected by Gola Chipa. The part of the island that is separated during high tide is called Cheradia. Few sea beaches like Saint Martin's, with its natural beauty, are found in the world. Nature, with all her beautiful creations, seems to have filled this island with beauty, often deserving the title of "queen of sea beaches."

Our journey during the chill of December.

Thinking of all this, our journey started at the first hour of December 28, in the biting cold of Poush (Bengali Month). We reached Teknaf Zero Point at 6:30 in the morning. After a quick breakfast, we rushed to the ship.

A different transformation of the endless horizon.

The ship cutting through the Naf River, the chatter of the seagulls, the crashing waves — it felt as though we were part of a fantastical journey. The merging of the two countries on either side of the river seemed like a transformation of the endless horizon.

One of the attractions of Saint Martin: Dead Coral

Though Narikel Jinjira is called a coral island, it is not actually a coral island. The famous scientist Darwin, before presenting his theory of evolution, had suggested another popular theory. According to him, "Around a dead volcano, various corals and creatures gradually settle and, over time, a colony forms, leading to the emergence of a large island, which is primarily a coral island." However, nothing of this sort happened on Saint Martin Island.

A magical kingdom!

Listening to the soft breeze and the sound of the water, this dreamlike journey ended on the shores of Saint Martin. As I stepped onto the sandy island of Narikel Jinjira, one thought kept crossing my mind: "My life has been fulfilled by being born in this country!" Everywhere I looked, it was just blue, and this small island in the blue sea stood tall with pride.

Saint Martin’s beauty is its doom!

However, just a little beyond the jetty, I felt a sense of disappointment. Life’s beautiful poetry, like that of Jibananda's, no longer fits in this area. The "Daruchini Island" by Humayun Ahmed feels like Newmarket of Dhaka or Chittagong! Saint Martin is also known as Daruchini Island. It is said that Arab traders used to carry cinnamon here, and a shipwreck occurred near this island. This island also served as a refreshing stop for their long spice trading journey. The whole island once seemed like a sanctuary of beauty, but where is it now?

Saint Martin in the early morning.

After a short break, we gathered by the sea in the evening and learned how to explore the soul of this island in one day.

Plankton collection at Saint Martin

Fieldwork Discussions

The fieldwork discussions began, followed by the search for various creatures along the sandy shore. The feeling of finding colorful snails and century-old coral was unique, like finding treasures, jewels, and diamonds.

The journey begins to Cheradia with life jackets.

The second day began with a journey towards Cheradia. The blue sea, the sunlight gleaming, and the huge waves created an extraordinary stage. On one edge of this sea, our hearts thumped in excitement, as we longed to tell this story for millions of years.

Just like other places, Cheradia will greet you with Kea trees.

It took over an hour from the northern part to reach Cheradia. Cheradia is one of the most beautiful places on Saint Martin. Stepping off the trawler, we saw the clear blue water and groups of small fish. We reached the shore in a small boat, passing dead coral mounds. The sorrow of nature was whispering to us that life and death are intertwined.

Capture the moment with coral stones!

Our first task at Cheradia was to gather and collect scattered plastic. This Earth is ours, and we must bear the responsibility for its future. It was a difficult and important duty. After the plastic collection, we again began searching for snails, shells, and corals. Before the day ended, we began our return journey. One group took the trawler, while the others chose to walk. The walk from Cheradia to the northern part was the most thrilling part of the trip.

We reached the northern part on foot from Cheradia.

Along the way, we spotted hundreds of snails, shells, and anchors, as well as the fruits of the Kea trees.

You’ll meet resting boatmen along with snails and shells!

No more work for the evening. Our second night in Saint Martin was filled with a cultural program.

On one side, preparations for a barbecue were underway, while songs, jokes, poetry, and dance were performed on the other.

The morning sun greets you.

Our third day began with the sunrise at dawn. The red glow in the eastern sky, along with the fish, felt like pages in a living novel that we were part of.

Time spent with friends in Saint Martin

Monir and I

Sample Collection

In the evening, we began gathering data on fish.

Many species of fish can be found in Saint Martin

and there are markets on various parts of the island.

Fresh fish is brought directly from the sea.

Excess fish and prawns are sent to the dried fish market in Saint Martin.

The dried fish market in Saint Martin is filled with different kinds of fish.

The first step in making dried fish is cleaning the fish properly.

Most of the people on this island are involved in fishing.

It was time to say goodbye. After finishing lunch at noon, we started our journey back, leaving Saint Martin. The time spent at Saint Martin and Cheradia stayed vivid in our minds. We don’t know when we will return to this island.

Our teachers from the department joined us on the trip to Saint Martin.

“I sat beside the grey lamp with the manuscript in hand. It was silent; Dew was slowly falling from the neem branches, A bird descended from the solitary branch of the neem tree, And flew into the mist, further into the distant mist. Its wings' breeze seemed to have extinguished the lamp. In the dark, I searched for a matchstick, When the light is lit, whose face will we see? Whose face? Behind the amalaki branch, I had once seen the crooked blue moon, Ah, that manuscript had once seen it; But now that face has become the greyest on this earth. Yet when all the light of the world fades, When all the stories of the world end, When no humans remain, only the dreams of humans will stay; That face, and I, will remain within that dream."

— Dream, Jibananda Das