Environment, forest and climate change adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Tuesday said the government is making efforts to reach a permanent solution to waterlogging problem in Bhabadah, Jashore.
She made the remark while visiting the Bhabadah 21 vent sluice gate in Abhaynagar upazila, accompanied by two other advisers - Home and Agriculture Adviser Lieutenant General (retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk-e-Azam Birpratik.
The visit underscores the government's continuous pledge to addressing environmental and water management challenges in the southwestern part of the country.
Rizwana further told reporters that with the combined efforts of several ministries, it has been possible to cultivate paddy on 17,000 hectares of land in the Bhabadah waterlogged area. Four thousand hectares of land have remained waterlogged in the locality.
The adviser said that river dredging work will start in the Bhabadah area under the supervision of the army so that water does not stagnate like the last monsoon. Palli Bidyut has reduced electricity charges by 46 percent for irrigation pumps being used to tackle the waterlogging problem.
Arrangements have also been made to waive interest on loans from Krishi Bank for this area, she said, adding along with these initiatives, schemes are being taken to ensure a permanent solution to the Bhabadah waterlogging problem.
Rizwana said that it was easy to solve the Bhabadah problem in 2005. But the government did not show sincerity during that time. The current government has already started a feasibility study for a permanent solution to this problem. Opinions will be taken from all sides on this matter. Then, a final decision will be taken after talking to experts.
"We three advisers have come together to inspect the Bhabadah area so that it is easier to reach a consensus in the national policy-making body on a permanent solution to the Bhabadah waterlogging problem . . . We will try to at least start the work of a permanent solution," she said.
Earlier, the three advisers reached the Nawapara Degree College ground in Abhaynagar Upazila by helicopter from Dhaka at 10 am. From there, the advisers went to inspect the paddy fields there. Later, they went to inspect the Bhabadah 21 sluice gate.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
