They also urged the government to formulate a comprehensive plan after consulting with the locals and experts for a permanent solution to the problem.

They suggested repairing of the existing embankments and sluice gates and digging more water bodies and ensuring free flow of water in the rivers of the area.

The seminar styled "Salinity in the southwestern regions including Bhabadaha and permanent solution to water-logging" was organised by Bhabadaha Pani Nishkashan Sangram Committee, Jessore at the Jatiya Press Club in the city.

Presenting the keynote paper, Prof Afsar Ali, adviser to the committee, said construction of embankments and sluice gates in the whole Bhabadaha area is the main reason behind water-logging in the area as many rivers have dried due to the embankments.

He alleged that unbridled corruption of the Water Development Board (WDB), some corrupt contractors and a section of fish-farm owners are responsible for water-logging in the area.

Corruption of WDB officials rendered the government money allocated for the area useless, he said.

Afsar suggested ensuring free flow of water in the rivers after reviving them while depositing the silt from these rivers in inundated land should get priority in this planning.

He also suggested making the area's water bodies and river linkage active round the year by dredging them.

Dr Ainnun Nishat said a continuous participatory monitoring system should be introduced in the coastal areas as these areas change dynamically and fixed technical systems do not work there.

He underscored the need for digging more water bodies for depositing silts from the rivers.

Engineer M Inamul Haque, former director general of Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Development Board, said it is necessary to repair the existing embankments and sluice gates.

Expressing solidarity with the Bhabadaha people, eminent educationist Muhammad Zafar Iqbal said a comprehensive plan, incorporation of the local people and some money are needed to solve the problem.

He said it is the high time to raise awareness about global warming as it affects a greater part of the country. Zafar Iqbal urged the government to provide the students of the area with educational apparatus.

Presided over by Ranajit Bawali, convenor of the organising committee, the seminar was also addressed by Matiur Rahman, editor of the daily Prothom Alo, Engineer Sheikh Mohammad Shahidullah, convenor of National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Electricity and Port, and other members of the committee.