Bamboo Boats

CIBART has innovated the production and use of bamboo coracle boats. These successfully rescued 1,200 of the 2,000 persons cut off from land during the 2016 floods. According to Mr. Paras Nath, Village Jogirahapurwa, Block Fakarpur, “CIBART’s bamboo boats have saved a lot of lives. If possible we would like more boats from CIBART to help us in the upcoming foods to save our lives.”

CIBART has also built long-boats of large capacity with outboard motors, boats with with thatched roofing, and unsinkable boats. The boats are lightweight, water proof, strong, can be steered and propelled with a single paddle. They are easy to maintain and can last several years. They are much cheaper and more robust than wooden boats since bamboo has flexibility. Bamboo long boats can carry 18 persons were also built; bamboo boats can be used as makeshift shelters in flood situations or carry tourists or be floating shops/ restaurants…

Bamboo boats in Uttar Pradesh
• Farmers have been trained to make bamboo boats under CIBART supervision by CIBART’s Master Craftsmen.
• 18 bamboo boats received a GO and taken over by the Bahraich district administration for six flood prone villages.
• Bamboo boats (12 persons) cost only Rs.12,000 when produced at scale
• Provide non-flood seasonal extra income for farmers.