The victims of river erosion again fall victim to trafficking when they migrate to the city in search of jobs after losing their lands, they said, adding that about 90 percent of trafficked women and children are victims of river erosion.

Padakkhep Manabik Unnayan Kendra in cooperation with the Oxfam GB organised the 'Workshop on scenario of basic service in char areas and the way forward' at the Biam auditorium in the city.

The speakers said about one crore people live in char areas which are vulnerable to river erosion. They also face a hard time when drought prevails as no crops grow during that period, they added.

Addressing as chief guest, Food and Disaster Management Minister Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf stressed the need for crop diversification in char areas to reduce poverty.

State Minister for Agriculture Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called for adopting labour-intensive methods in char areas to create employment opportunities for a large number of people.

Changing cropping pattern can also increase agricultural output in char area, he added.

Prof Dr AQM Mahbub of Dhaka University presented a key-note paper on 'Basic service in char areas' at the workshop.

He said the char dwellers have poor access to the basic services and eight people among 10 are extreme poor.

Prof Mahbub said the river erosion has significant impact on the people living in char areas. A total of 7.29 lakh people were displaced due to river erosion during the period from 1981 to 1993, he added.

Later, an open discussion was held, with AHM Sadique Hoque, president of Padakkhep Manabik Unnayan Kendra, as the moderator.

The speakers recommended introducing some basic services for the people of char areas.

They also suggested creating a separate ministry, taking effective measure for population control, providing loan facilities, setting up bank and floating hospital and providing facilities to use solar power.

Alil P Tambay, country representative of OxfamGB, Bangladesh, was also present.