They said 33 percent population was brought under the coverage of sanitary latrine in October 2003 and 48 percent in March this year.

The roundtable on 'Sanitation for All by 2010: Strategic Options' was organised by Dhaka Ahsania Mission (Dam) at Cirdap auditorium yesterday.

Speaking as chief guest LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan stressed the need for cooperation among the government and non-government organisations (NGOs) in this regard.

He said around 70 percent people take their own initiative to set up sanitary latrines while help is needed only for the rest 30 percent.

The minister also underlined the importance of proper maintenance of sanitary latrines.

The speakers said a total of 189 unions, nine upazilas and four pourasavas have already been brought under sanitary latrine coverage.

They said local government institutions will have to be involved in raising the number of users of sanitary latrines.

Dam Deputy Executive Director M Ehsanur Rahman presented a keynote paper at the roundtable.

The paper highlighted, among other things, importance of using sanitary latrines, sanitation coverage of public places, sanitation management during natural disasters, and resource mobilisation.

Panel of discussants included LGED Joint Secretary Mokhlesur Rahman, Water Aid Bangladesh's Country Representative Khandker Zakir Hossain, Executive Director of NGO Forum SMA Rashid and Birendra Shrestha of Unicef.

President and Chief Executive of Dam Kazi Rafiqul Alam presided over the round table while Local Consultant of APSU AYBI Siddiqui acted as moderator.