The River BrahmaputraSubansiri, Bharoli, Bornodi, Puthimari, Pagladiya, Manas, Na-Dihing, Disang, Dikhow, Bhogdoi, Dhansiri, Kapili, Jiyadhal, Ronganoi,Kakodanga, Buroi, Sampabati, Dibru, Dudhnoi, Krishnai, Buri-Dihing, Dikong etc

42 tributaries in all, 1625 km in Tibet, 918 km in India, 377 km in B’desh

The River BasinThe River Basin

Floods and their impactFloods and their impact• About 10% of the local population (about 2.5 million) is displaced

by flood

and high water every year.

• Lack of sanitation and safe drinking water result in the spread of

water-borne

diseases, especially dysentery and diarrhea, which take a

substantial toll.

• Loss of arable land due to silt deposit and soil erosion leaves

community

without food grains which are usually grown on the farms.

• The state administration is handicapped by limited financial

resources and

personnel and above all the lack of good and well-equipped boats.

Villages are cut off, becoming inaccessible

Loss of livelihoods

Displacement of families Incidence of water borne diseases

Floods and their Floods and their impactimpact

Project ObjectivesProject Objectives• Use locally built, competently equipped ships to enable trained

assistance to reach those in urgent need of medical assistance

during floods.

• Train and educate rural, river-dependent groups in health issues,

including both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

• Tackle unemployment and increase income through trade and

construction of a fleet of ships in each district.

• Develop local cultural documentation “banks” and help local talent

find wider opportunities.

Project StructureProject Structure

AID NE Cell

Grassroot Boat Builders

Sanjoy Hazarika

MIT DtM

Independent Design Engineers

(Hari Nair)

IIT Guwahati, India

Ship of HopeShip of Hope

Design IssuesDesign Issues• There are three major categories of boats plying in the

Brahmaputra:

• Large Ferry Boats with powerful engines and capacity to

transport people and vehicles

• Medium sized country boats used primarily for cargo, livestock

and sometimes for people transport.

• Small country boats used for small cargo and personal

transportation.

• Some of the major issues to be addressed are:

• Community safety

• Weather protection

• Ability to navigate the waters

• Loading and unloading

Ship of HopeShip of Hope

Safety and CapacitySafety and Capacity 11

• Major safety hazards from overcrowdingMajor safety hazards from overcrowding

• No visible enforcement of safety regulationsNo visible enforcement of safety regulations

• Over-laden boats become disabled in emergencies or are unable Over-laden boats become disabled in emergencies or are unable

to navigate heavy currentsto navigate heavy currents

• Not enough protection from the elementsNot enough protection from the elements

• Loading and unloading issuesLoading and unloading issues

Ship of HopeShip of Hope

Safety and CapacitySafety and Capacity 22

Ship of HopeShip of Hope

Safety and CapacitySafety and Capacity 33

Ship of HopeShip of Hope

Cargo and LivestockCargo and Livestock 11

Ship of HopeShip of Hope

Cargo and LivestockCargo and Livestock 22

• People, livestock and cargo all need protection from the elementsPeople, livestock and cargo all need protection from the elements

• These boats seem to be constructed locally using indigenous These boats seem to be constructed locally using indigenous

materials. It may be possible to bring newer materials (ex: plastic materials. It may be possible to bring newer materials (ex: plastic

sheets) to enhance.sheets) to enhance.

• There are no engines on these boats but how about power needed There are no engines on these boats but how about power needed

to navigate in heavy currents and in emergency situations?to navigate in heavy currents and in emergency situations?

SummarySummary During times of flood, rural populations in the Brahmaputra Valley are During times of flood, rural populations in the Brahmaputra Valley are

devastated by high water which dislocates their lives, substantially devastated by high water which dislocates their lives, substantially

reduces incomes and imperils their health.reduces incomes and imperils their health.

The “Ship of Hope” project proposes the development of a fleet of well-The “Ship of Hope” project proposes the development of a fleet of well-

designed, locally-built country boats that can primarily provide health and designed, locally-built country boats that can primarily provide health and

relief services for the distressed and needy during times of flood.relief services for the distressed and needy during times of flood.

The principal beneficiaries of this project are the poor and marginalized The principal beneficiaries of this project are the poor and marginalized

farmers and workers who live on the riverbanks and are at risk during farmers and workers who live on the riverbanks and are at risk during

flooding.flooding.

The project plans to demonstrate that through the process of designing The project plans to demonstrate that through the process of designing

and building a fleet of boats, it is possible to improve health conditions, and building a fleet of boats, it is possible to improve health conditions,

employment, income as well as strengthen local culture.employment, income as well as strengthen local culture.

Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun2004 2005

Project Start

Literature Review and Formalizing Boat Design

Gathering Material and Boat Construction

WB EventJune 21

Testing of Boat

BoatLaunch

Dissemination and Strategizing

Ship of Hope: TimelineShip of Hope: Timeline