The Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (Beza) on January 26 ordered the removal all structures made locally for tourists including cottages and tents in Sonadia Island of Cox's Bazar district's Maheshkhali upazila.

The instruction was given through a letter signed by Beza's Deputy Secretary Mohammad Nazmul Hasan.

A standing committee on the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism of national parliament organised a view-exchange meeting in this regard with the local resident of Sonadia yesterday.

Chairman of the committee RM Obaidul Moktadir Chowdhury chaired the meeting.

Beza intends to build an eco-tourism park on the island keeping the environment and biodiversity intact.

The government will start construction of the eco-tourism park after ensuring rehabilitation of locals, speakers said at the meeting.

Before issuing the letter, Maheshkhali Upazila Administration and local police also requested tourists against staying overnight on the island considering security.

Opposing the government move, some environmental organisations have been demanding that a tourist park should not be built on Sonadia Island.