BBC World Service | Bangladesh River Journey

Diary: Journey's end

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:23:36 +0000

The diary of the BBC's month-long journey along Bangladesh's rivers, examining climate change and other key issues.

The month long BBC Bangladesh boat trip has come to an end, and what a momentous four weeks it's been!

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:57:52 +0000

The month long BBC Bangladesh boat trip has come to an end, and what a momentous four weeks it's been!

The final picture

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 02:11:51 +0000

As the BBC team prepare to disembark the boat, the sun sets overhead, and indeed on the trip itself.

Captain Sales and the staff

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 02:07:19 +0000

As M.V.Aboshar makes it's way back to Dhaka, James Sales makesw a special thankyou to all the boat crew who had worked so hard after the last few weeks.

BBC boat now heads towards Dhaka after a momentous four weeks in which the weather has dominated the agenda

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 11:20:13 +0000

BBC boat now heads towards Dhaka after a momentous four weeks in which the weather has dominated the agenda

Eager audience

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 11:07:50 +0000

Most people at the final BBC boat trip sanglap in Mongla agreed that co-ordination between government ministries and local and international NGOs after cyclones could be improved.

Sanglap stage-set

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 10:34:24 +0000

The grounds of the hotel in Mongla where the debate was staged formed a dramatic backdrop for the debate.

Sidr survivor

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 08:11:54 +0000

Rehana lost a daughter in the storm but managed to save her toddler (photograhed) despite being blown into a pond. She received first aid while queuing to take part in the BBC sanglap debate in Mongla on Saturday.

In Mongla just finished a question time style debate on the cyclone. Many injured people joined us who needed first aid assistance.

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 18:12:04 +0000

In Mongla just finished a question time style debate on the cyclone. Many injured people joined us who needed first aid assistance.

Beware the tigers

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 02:55:16 +0000

Also back to normal working hours are the fishermen of the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest in the south-west of the country. At night time they are especially at risk from tigers.

Boys on a bicycle

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 00:21:34 +0000

On Thursday last week they were in a cyclone shelter. Today they are laughing and playing in the sun. Had they not been able to take shelter, they would almost certainly have been killed or injured as much of their village was flattened in the storm.

Tranquility

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 00:20:05 +0000

The beauty and tranquility of rural Bangladeshi life hide the fact that last week the country experienced one of the worst storms in living memory.

Hitching a ride

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 00:19:28 +0000

The BBC's Alastair Lawson and Dan Vasiliu hitch a ride on a trolley rickshaw - the motor a converted diesel water pump - while visiting a village near Mongla.

Protected deer

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 23:14:58 +0000

These deer attracted considerable tourist interest at a zoo just outside the town of Mongla.

BBC boats at dusk

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 21:20:59 +0000

The MV Aboshar is joined by the MV Chhuti prior to Saturday's Bangladesh sanglap - or dialogue - which will be held in Mongla.

Back in Mongla where life seems to be returning to normal after the horrors of last week's cyclone.

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 09:34:59 +0000

Back in Mongla where life seems to be returning to normal after the horrors of last week's cyclone.

Boy watches on

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 01:57:05 +0000

This boy was in a village that was not badly hit by the cyclonce, which caused immense damage in some areas, but left other areas relatively unscathed.

Sympathy

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 01:52:03 +0000

All those who attended said they felt heart-broken over the plight of homeless cyclone victims/

Generous donors

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 01:51:07 +0000

Many of the donors had little to give but still handed over something.

Community action

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 01:46:08 +0000

Items handed over included trousers, sari and warm clothes for people of all ages. They also donated much-needed water.

Handing over possessions

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 01:44:15 +0000

Villagers in Joymoni Ghol in the south west of Bangladesh hand over their personal belongings in aid of other villagers nearby who are destitute because of the hurricane.

Onlooker

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 22:44:23 +0000

Efforts by local people in the village of Joymoni Ghul to raise money for cyclone victi.ms attracted many onlookers eager to donate money

Waiting for help

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 22:30:28 +0000

This woman is waiting patiently for food aid a week after a cyclone in Bangladesh killed thousands of people.

Waiting for aid

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 22:30:05 +0000

This woman is waiting to receive food supplies from the Bangladeshi aid, agency Brac, after her village was damaged in the cyclone.

Carrying rice

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 22:07:23 +0000

People in villages less badly damaged by the cyclone carried rice to give those who have yet to receive enough food/

Receiving aid

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:57:21 +0000

For many villagers, it was the first time they received aid since the cyclone struck, and the delivery of rice brought a smile to many faces.

Standing in line

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:54:51 +0000

In this village the queues for aid were orderly, unlike in the days immediately following the cyclone, when fights over rice frequently broke out.

By the office

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:09:37 +0000

These people are waiting for aid outside the office of Brac, one of the largest aid agencies in Bangladesh.

'No school'

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 20:55:31 +0000

The school pupil's house was destroyed by the cyclone, interrupting her education

The pressing need now for victims of the cyclone in the south-west seems to be access to clean water.

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 19:19:11 +0000

The pressing need now for victims of the cyclone in the south-west seems to be access to clean water.

Hungry for food

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:51:28 +0000

Everywhere the BBC vessel, the MV Aboshar, goes in the south-west, people line the river banks in the hope of receiving food and medicine.

Not enough aid getting through

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:49:58 +0000

One of the main priorities is to supply fresh drinking water.

Trauma Children

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:48:34 +0000

In a cyclone shelter in Badma, children who have been survived the cyclone receive food and shelter. Some of them have lost parents, others have been traumatised by what they experienced.

Children at trauma centre

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:41:28 +0000

The children are encouraged to play games and take part in group activities to help them get over the terrible memories of the storm.

Survival story

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:40:36 +0000

Most children in the south-west of Bangladesh have survival stories relating to the storm, and many have lost loved ones.

Cyclone shelter

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:34:55 +0000

The children will be invited to attend the Badma centre for a month in a scheme funded by the Save the Children agency.

Medical aid finally arrives

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:29:12 +0000

Nearly a week after the storm, medical aid has finally arrived for some villagers hit by Thursday's storm

Remains of ramp at outpost

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:12:51 +0000

The ramp at the Chandreswar forestry outpost was totally destroyed in Thursday's cylone.

Destroyed forestry out post

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:10:22 +0000

A forestry outpost visited by the BBC in Chandreswar in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh before the cyclone was totally destroyed in the strom. Here Ranger Hafizur Rahman stands at the site of the destroyed outpost.

Trees down

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:07:13 +0000

Thousands of trees were destroyed in Thursday's storm.

Tree down

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:05:16 +0000

The tree used to secure the forestry outpost at Chandreswar was blown down.

Rebuilding

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 20:53:11 +0000

Homes that were destroyed are slowly being repaired, but a lot of buldings remained flattened.

'No clean water'

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 20:46:04 +0000

Aid agencies say that the chief concern now is helping people to get access to clean water.

Empty cooking pans

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 20:44:25 +0000

Many people say that while they have recived some rice supplies since the storm stuck, but many compalin they have not received enough.

Drying out

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 20:24:39 +0000

Documents that were soaked in the cyclone are left to dry out.

Work in progress

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 20:03:03 +0000

Aid workers say it will take a long time before the south-west of Bangladesh recovers from the storm.

Deep in the Sunderbans, to see how Thursday's cyclone has devastated local communities.

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 10:31:16 +0000

Deep in the Sunderbans, to see how Thursday's cyclone has devastated local communities.

Appeal for help

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:58:21 +0000

Everywhere destitute people approached the boat appealing for food and medical help.

Lining the river banks

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:38:36 +0000

Desperate villagers line the river banks calling out for aid.

Diary: Cyclone devastation

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 19:07:19 +0000

The diary of the BBC's month-long journey along Bangladesh's rivers, examining climate change and other key issues.

Everything lost

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:47:25 +0000

Aid has arrived, but its too little, too late

Homes shattered

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:36:15 +0000

The chief concern now is contamination of drinking water.

A typical scene of devastation

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:32:22 +0000

Everywhere villages have been shattered and people left homeless.

Grounded ship

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:19:00 +0000

Such was the ferocity of Thursday's cyclone that ships were tossed onto river banks.

"Ferry on land"

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:48:56 +0000

This ferry was blown onto dry land by the force of Thursday's cyclone,.

Visited a cyclone affected village called Charduani which is in desperate need of clean drinking water.

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:50:40 +0000

Visited a cyclone affected village called Charduani which is in desperate need of clean drinking water.

Clear-up operation

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:41:28 +0000

Still local people are moving debris from villages and roads.

"Like a bomb has gone off"

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:26:49 +0000

The town of Royenda looked as it had been hit by a bomb.

Drying the clothes

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:23:20 +0000

Many people have no homes to keep their clothes

More clothes drying

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:24:27 +0000

Because people have no houses, many villagers shelter underneath whatever materials are available.

More damage

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:13:50 +0000

Evidence of the destruction created by the strom can be seen everywhere.

Trail of destruction

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:11:17 +0000

In some villages, hardly any buildings were left standing.

Grief stricken family

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:54:04 +0000

Everywhere the MV Aboshar sails, we come across families grieving their loved ones.

Missing loved ones

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:40:53 +0000

Some families in south-western Bangladesh complain that they have not eaten since the storm struck and are still missing loved ones.

Wreckage

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:37:28 +0000

A saw mill site is deserted after the storm in the town of Royenda

"This was my home"

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:34:14 +0000

Many people are now having to sleep outside because their homes were destroyed.

Price rises

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:27:48 +0000

Most people complained before the cyclone that the prices of essential fooods was too high. Now they are set to rise higher after crops were destroyed.

Coming to terms with the storm

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:17:32 +0000

There is barely a poor villager in Bangladesh whose house has not been in some way damaged by the storm.

We arrived in Rayenda Bazaar earlier today to visit a fishing village devastated by cyclone Sidr.

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:33:57 +0000

We arrived in Rayenda Bazaar earlier today to visit a fishing village devastated by cyclone Sidr.

Life carries on as normal

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 23:57:58 +0000

Yet despite the severity of Thursday's tragedy, people try to get on with life as normal.

The BBC team rejoins the MV Aboshar after visiting more cyclone-affected villages.

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 23:20:18 +0000

The BBC team rejoins the MV Aboshar after visiting more cyclone-affected villages.

Cyclone hits poor hardest

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 23:19:06 +0000

The BBC's Alastair Lawson talks to people in south-western Bangladesh about the recent cyclone and its aftermath.

A dangerous occupation

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 22:02:34 +0000

Fishermen in the Bay of Bengal were hardest hit by Thursday's storm and even now some are unaccounted for.

Wasteland

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 21:55:14 +0000

Thousands of trees were blown over and paddy fields destroyed.

Army responds

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 20:38:03 +0000

Col Entimal of the Bangladeshi army told the BBC's Alastair Lawson that efforts were being made to provide aid to poor people in rural communities who had suffered most in one of the worst cyclones that he said he had ever known.

Trees down

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:42:16 +0000

Many roads after Thursday's cyclone remain barely passable.

Power lines down

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:39:07 +0000

Everywhere you go in the south west of Bangladesh, it's possible to see power lines down after Thursday's cyclone.

No school

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:32:04 +0000

The cyclone destoyed the Chandramohan village school, leaving pupils with no-where to be taught.

"Nothing left"

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:27:06 +0000

Many people in rural areas such as Chandramohan village in the south-west of Bangladesh have been left homeless.

Power restored

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 17:48:05 +0000

Slowly but surely the south-west of Bangladesh is getting back to its feet again after the storm, but many areas remain without power and telephones.

Large traffic jams

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 17:33:24 +0000

Because bridges are damaged and roads strewn with fallen trees, massive traffic jams are created.

Chopping the trees

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 17:26:34 +0000

A masive clear-up operation to remove trees that are blocking roads has begun.

Aid slow to arrive

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 20:38:26 +0000

Aid is arriving to remote rural areas, but it is taking time to come, and many communities are still waiting.

A harrowing day for the BBC team reporting on villages that were totally destroyed in the cyclone.

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 20:09:18 +0000

A harrowing day for the BBC team reporting on villages that were totally destroyed in the cyclone.

Administering first aid

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:55:23 +0000

Villagers in Sharonkholur had no food, no homes and no medical help two days after the cyclone struck. BBC staff helped out where they could.

Boy on a rice mat

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:44:27 +0000

Many children in Sharonkholur have lost parents in the cyclone, while food is in pitifully short supply.

Shattered homes

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:41:58 +0000

The scale of destruction has to be seen to be believed. No home was left standing in Sharonkholur.

Burying the dead

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:27:10 +0000

When the BBC team arrived in Sharonkholur, villagers were burying their dead.

Nothing left

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:26:05 +0000

Villagers have not only lost their homes, they have lost their crops and livestock too.

No medical help

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:25:23 +0000

With no medical help, villagers in Sharonkholpur have to treat themselves.

A broken community

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:20:57 +0000

Many villagers remain traumatised by the storm - everywhere the sound of women crying could be heard.

Now in Mongla to report on the aftermath of the cyclone.

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 02:45:43 +0000

Now in Mongla to report on the aftermath of the cyclone.

Diary: Cyclone coming

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 22:28:17 +0000

The diary of the BBC's month-long journey along Bangladesh's rivers, examining climate change and other key issues.

BBC team has left the boat and is now heading towards the south to report on the aftermath of Thursday night's cyclone

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 17:24:34 +0000

BBC team has left the boat and is now heading towards the south to report on the aftermath of Thursday night's cyclone

The BBC team arrives at a hotel in Bhuapur to escape the ravages of the weather.

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 22:33:55 +0000

The BBC team arrives at a hotel in Bhuapur to escape the ravages of the weather.

Abandon ship

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 22:22:32 +0000

BBC staff had to abandon the MV Aboshar ship when she run aground in heavy rain in the Jamuna river.

Evacuate

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 22:07:26 +0000

But as the rain continued to pour, the decison was taken for staff to leave the boat by catamaran and head for the nearest hotel.

Captain stays with the ship

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 21:32:41 +0000

As BBC staff left the MV Aboshar, only the captain of the boat and a few key staff remained on board. They face a stormy night.

Stuck in a rut

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 21:26:00 +0000

Crew on the BBC boat test the depth of the river in heavy rain to find a way of getting the MV Aboshar unstuck.

Shelter in a storm

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:00:03 +0000

Earlier in the day locals struggled to find shelter from the pre-cyclone rains by any means available.

Children under shelter

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:58:15 +0000

In the last big cyclone that hit bangladesh in 1991, children and women figured prominently among the casualties.

Evacuated! The BBC team had to leave the MV Aboshar after running aground in bad cylone weather.

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 16:49:45 +0000

Evacuated! The BBC team had to leave the MV Aboshar after running aground in bad cylone weather.

Cattle moved

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:42:23 +0000

Before the storm hit, farmers desperately tried to move their livestock to safer areas.

The calm before the storm?

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 23:10:48 +0000

The weather is beautifully placid, but we're reliably informed that a big cyclone is heading towards Bangladesh.

In the Kitchen

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:35:05 +0000

The BBC's James Sales prepared a delicious Thai soup in the kitchen area of the MV Aboshar on Wednesday night.

Trolley rickshaw

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:17:45 +0000

At Daulatdia's main bus station trolley rickshaws wait to takthe luggage of bus passengers. But on this occasion the passengers were the BBC's James Loosemore and John Ngahyoma from the Swahili service.

Railway children

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:04:55 +0000

Many children live nearby Daulatdia's railway lines. For them it's a tough life.

Gathering coconuts

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:54:28 +0000

Coconuts of Daulatdia are delicious, nutritious but sometimes hard to get.

Boy in the mirror

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:27:44 +0000

This child in Daulatdia was photographed outside a school. But many childen in the town do not go to work.

Precious wood

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:17:26 +0000

As concern grows over the world about global warming, Bangladeshis are also coming under pressure from the government and international organisations to find different fuel supplies to wood.

Goat on a pile

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:12:09 +0000

But most people need wood for cooking, and until a cheaper energy source can be found, it will always be heavily in demand.

Daulatdin centre

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:05:48 +0000

Daualtdin gets very busy later in the day, as lorries, truck, carts and rickshaws jostle for space on the roads.

Cattle class

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:02:21 +0000

Quite how the farmers managed to persuade the cattle onto the lorry is unclear. But if the driver goes too fast round a bend, there's would be no need to worry as they were hemmed in so tight.

Cattle in Daulatdia

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:02:02 +0000

The town of Daulatdia - like many in Bangladesh - is a hive of activity - and the marketing of livestock is a key paret of the local economy

At Daulatdia ferry terminal expecting bad weather as cyclone in the Bay of Bengal heads north.

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:18:22 +0000

At Daulatdia ferry terminal expecting bad weather as cyclone in the Bay of Bengal heads north.

No time for play

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:21:44 +0000

Children in Bangladesh become involved in the chores of family life at an early age.

Facing the press

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:09:13 +0000

The BBC's Dan Vasiliu interviews the man in charge of issuing birth certificates in the town of Mawa

Boats on the beach

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:00:09 +0000

Mawa is a town awash with boats, from this variety to numerous speed boats that ply the nearby river.

Houses on stilts

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:39:16 +0000

These houses on stilts in the town of Mawa are specially designed to be portable, so that they can be moved quickly in the event of a strorm.

Dedicated BBC fan

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:11:06 +0000

This man in Mawa is such a fan of the BBC that he waited several hours to offer some coconuts to the team free of charge.

"Fancy an apple?"

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:10:34 +0000

The town of Mawa has a thriving market, offering everything from apples and oranges to bananas and other local fruit.

Dropped anchor at Mawa for the night. Spent the day seeing how rivers are affected by siltation.

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 18:14:58 +0000

Dropped anchor at Mawa for the night. Spent the day seeing how rivers are affected by siltation.

Railway line

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:30:48 +0000

Boats are not the only way that Bangladeshis travel. The country also has a much-used railway network.

The feeding of the 5,000

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:59:40 +0000

There is something distinctly Biblical about these fish on sale in Chandpur market.

Fresh fish

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:48:49 +0000

The food eaten on the boat by the BBC team is delicious. That's because the cook gets up early to go to the market and buy fish recently caught.

Roadside stall

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:45:59 +0000

Tea stalls are found all over Bangladesh, and there's no better way to start the day than an early morning cuppa.

Tuning into London

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 01:58:14 +0000

The BBC's James Loosemore ensures that the lively education debate is beamed live to London.

Listening intently

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 01:36:32 +0000

Many in the audience complained that their education was being adversely affected by constant flooding and land erosion.

Debate participants

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 01:26:00 +0000

Participants in the education debate wait in a reception area prior to the start of the Bengali programme.

Order, order

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 01:20:29 +0000

The BBC's Shakeel Anwar chairs a debate on education in the village of Narshinghapur in the district of Shariatpur.

Eager audience

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 01:17:36 +0000

...To Bangladeshis attending discussions on education organised by the Bengali service.

Diary: Northward bound

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 23:12:52 +0000

Alastair Lawson-Tancred takes Ben Sutherland's place and reflects on the experience at the world's largest mangrove forest.

River life

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:30:53 +0000

As the BBC boat meandered northwards, life for the peple of this river nation passes by peacefully.

Life on the river bank

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:29:29 +0000

People in Bangladesh often have to carry heavy weights...

Walk on by

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:13:42 +0000

This child watches the MV Abosar as she sails by heading towards Daulatdia.

Dredging operation

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:39:57 +0000

This river north of Barisal has to be dredged in winter to allow bigger boats to carry on using it.

Dredging equipment

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:30:34 +0000

The reason dredging is necessary is unclear: but what is not in dispute is that this area had less rain than expected during the monsoon.

Alastair by the dredger

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:23:31 +0000

Alastair Lawson files for the BBC by the side of a dredger moving silt from a river that is not deep enough for big ships in winter.

Lister engine

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:20:30 +0000

The equipment used by the dredgers is old fashioned. This British engine is estimated to be at least 30 years old.

Dropped anchor at Chandpur. Alastair has now replaced Ben on boad the BBC boat.

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:12:38 +0000

Dropped anchor at Chandpur. Alastair has now replaced Ben on boad the BBC boat.

Meeting the people

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:25:42 +0000

The BBC's Pamela Rutherford (with microphone) and Claudia Hammond attract much attention as they carry out interviews for the BBC World Service programme, Health Check.

Overladen boat

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:10:58 +0000

So too to boats passing us by on the river, which are often over-laden.

Boat in Barisal

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:07:39 +0000

Barisal is known as the Venice of Bangladesh

Much travelling over the last two days - heading towards Bhedorgonj.

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:09:44 +0000

Much travelling over the last two days - heading towards Bhedorgonj.

Newborn baby in Bangladesh

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 14:56:21 +0000

The arrival of the baby by Caesarian was a relief for the mother who lost her last child.

Mother and newborn

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 14:55:39 +0000

This child was born while a BBC team was visiting the the hospital in Barisal

Early in the morning

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:52:32 +0000

It's a beautiful Tuesday morning and the BBC team wakes up at dawn to see Bangladeshis going about their daily lives on the water.

At the end of the day

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:12:28 +0000

By the end of the day many of the boats which ferry up and down the river are no longer to be seen. It's supremely quiet and peaceful.

Stunning colours

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:09:18 +0000

Bangladesh is not renowned for its tourist industry, a surprise given the stunning beauty of many of its rivers.

Heading north towards Barisal, the weather becoming slightly cooler.

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 22:19:08 +0000

Heading north towards Barisal, the weather becoming slightly cooler.

Heading towards north towards Barisal, the weather becoming slightly cooler.

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 22:16:55 +0000

Heading towards north towards Barisal, the weather becoming slightly cooler.

Leaving the Sunderbans

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 21:49:25 +0000

It's the begining of an 11 hour journey from the Sunderbans towars Barisal, known as the Venice of the East.

Plain sailing

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 21:47:36 +0000

It's a beautiful day, with just enough breeze to keep us cool and help local people get from A to B.

Night-time lights

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:26:29 +0000

But not everybody goes to bed. Occasionally a larger vessel passes by, its loud foghorn reminding us that the river never properly goes to sleep.

The medicine cabinet

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 19:51:37 +0000

Like many Bangladeshi towns, there are a variety of medicines available which are on display in Dickensian-style cabinets.

Alastair

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:55:30 +0000

The man in the middle here is Alastair Lawson - who is replacing me on board the MV Aboshar as of today. He will be writing the diary stories and keeping the site updated along our journey as I return to the UK.

The crocodile keeper

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:54:42 +0000

Mohaemmed Abdul is a wildlife expert at a wildlfife sanctuary near Mongla. Its key work is to breed crocodiles and release them into the Sunderbans forest.

Mongla

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:48:40 +0000

A view down one of the streets in Mongla. Mongla is the second-largest port in Bangladesh and the location of our second BBC Sanglap programme.

Injured by monkeys

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:02:33 +0000

Mr Abdul told us that he fell over and broke his arm while handling monkeys at the sanctuary,

Crocs in the pen

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:58:19 +0000

This is one of a number of crocdiles being kept and nurtured in pens in the wildlife sanctuary. They are kept here until they are two metres long, and then released into the wild.

Spotted deer

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:39:51 +0000

The spotted deer in the wildlife sanctuary are very friendly - and often approach tourists looking for snacks...

Tigers this way

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:22:35 +0000

This sign in the sanctuary indicated the place the Royal Bengal tigers are supposedly hiding. As has been the case so far, however, they proved elusive...

Rhesus monkeys

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:04:37 +0000

These rhesus monkeys came to greet us as we entered the Mongla wildlife sanctuary. This specific type of rhesus monkey is only found in the Sundarbans.

Map of the Sundarbans

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:00:37 +0000

This 3D model of the Sundarbans is inside the Mongla animal sanctuary. Mongla itself is in the top right-hand corner.

The fisherman

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 16:44:52 +0000

The fishermen have been coming to the Sundarbans with their otters for 35 years. They borrow money from lenders - around 20,000 taka (£144) - to finance the trip. They can make up to 2,000 taka per day fishing with the otters.

I'm hungry

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 16:39:47 +0000

The otters need to eat around three quarters of a kilo of fish each per day.

The otter hunter

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 16:31:50 +0000

Fishing with otters is not widespread in the Sundarbans. That is because it takes time and expertise to train the animals to round up fish.

Otter hunters

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 16:30:43 +0000

Otter hunters in the Sundarbans use the animals to round up larger fish into their nets, creating a more sustainable from of fishing because younger fish escape.

BBC team in Mongla

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 16:01:36 +0000

The Bangladesh River Journey has been extensively covered by a variety of BBC journalists and producers filing for television, online and radio.

The second Sanglap

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 23:34:11 +0000

After finishing in Chandpai we returned to the MV Aboshar, now moored outside of Mongla for the second Sanglap programme. Although it would not be recorded until the next day, the crowds were already building.

Leaving Chandpai

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:55:54 +0000

Myself, Louise, Siobhann and Vefa wait for Dimitry and Eric to return from filming more footage of Chandpai.

Tigers and dolphins

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:50:51 +0000

Ben Sutherland enters the Sundarbans - the largest mangrove forest on Earth and a place of vast biodiversity.

In Chandpai - a village visited by Bengal tigers most nights of the year.

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:19:40 +0000

In Chandpai - a village visited by Bengal tigers most nights of the year.

The house

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:52:42 +0000

The victim was very old. She was sleeping next to the wall when attacked. The tiger was chased away before it ate her body, but it was too late to save her.

In through the wall

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:51:16 +0000

This is where the elderly woman died. The tiger swiped its claw through the thin wood wall, attacked her and dragged her outside in its jaws.

Story from the riverbank

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:36:45 +0000

Vefa Veysalova and Chris Ancil from the Azeri Service record their material in the mud where the tiger prints were found.

Irrawaddy dolphin

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:33:32 +0000

The irrawaddy dolphin is a generalist - it is found both in the sea in the Bay of Bengal and in the rivers of the Sundarbans.

In the trees

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:33:27 +0000

Children are practiced at climbing trees in order to avoid the tiger. If the tiger is seen, being able to get high up is essential.

Pawprints

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:32:04 +0000

Amidst the footprints in the soft mud, very recent tiger prints are also clearly visible.

The tiger expert

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:21:30 +0000

This is Adam Barlow, who works for the Sundarbans Tiger Project, a joint venture between the forest department here and the University of Minnesota. He has been closely studying the behaviour of the tigers in the Sundarbans, and believes that long-term the Sundarbans tigers are one of only three sustainable populations of the animals.

The baby reptile

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:19:52 +0000

And here it is. It is very small - only around 20 centimetres.

Catching a croc

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:19:51 +0000

Crocodiles are still very common in the Sundarbans. As we were in the village, we heard a commotion from excited children who had found a baby one in their pond and had put it on the end of this rope.

Crocodile victim

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:02:28 +0000

The boy on the right is Mohammad Moshin Sheikh. His father was eaten by a crocodile while out fishing last year. The man next to him, Kamir ul-Islam, was on the boat at the time. "Early in the morning, we were pulling up our nets. Suddenly, he was not there any more."

Clothes washing

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:02:23 +0000

Surface water in Bangladesh is used for washing and cooking

Hole in the roof

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:56:36 +0000

This shed was used for keeping goats. The hole in the roof is where the tiger entered. It killed all the animals inside.

Pond fishing

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:52:23 +0000

Much of Chandpai extends in a straight line either side of the road away from the harbour. But fishing is still an important source of food and income further inland - there are many ponds and pools in which fish are farmed, and can easily be caught.

Tiger lessons

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:46:46 +0000

This is Selina Begum and her rather camera-shy daughter Toma. Selina explained that she protects her child by keeping her on a raised platform when the tiger is around. The children are also taught how to avoid the tigers.

Canal problem

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:40:57 +0000

Chandpai is spread out along a canal - located just behind where these boys were pedalling their rickshaw, broadcasting their own running commentary of a football match they had seen. The canal is so full of silt that the tiger can cross into the village unimpeded. The local government is now dredging the canal.

Facing the tiger

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:37:37 +0000

This man, a businessman named Amjad Sheikh, said he has found himself facing the tiger several times. In July he found it confronting him near the main street. "I started shouting to alert everyone. They jumped onto the tin roofs of their houses and banged them, which succeeded in driving the tiger away," he recalled.

Tiger road

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:25:54 +0000

At night the tiger is often sighted prowling down this main road through Chandpai. The village is in constant fear of the tiger: more than 50 animals have been taken in recent months, with the tiger entering the village once every two nights. One elderly woman has also been killed.

Flag warning

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:25:12 +0000

The number of flags flying indicate the severity of the threat. Three flags mean a cyclone rated between 8 to 10 in strength.

Getting the message

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:24:56 +0000

The radio is essential for communicating cyclone warnings. This picture, also drawn on the side of the school, shows a family listening out for news of the weather.

Heading to safety

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:24:34 +0000

Here, people are shown heading to the school as the weather turns. Being in the south of the country, and thus nearer the Bay of Bengal, Chandpai is particularly vulnerable to cyclones.

Cyclone shelter

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:24:11 +0000

This is the main school in Chandpai, which - like the one in Galachipa - doubles as a cyclone shelter. The writing and illustration on the walls gives instruction on what to do in the event of a cyclone.

Working in Chandpai

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:20:30 +0000

These people are cutting blocks of mud from along the riverbank to make bricks for houses in Chandpail. Chandpai is a collection of small villages along a road leading away to Bhola. The area is in the north-east tip of the Sundarbans, and as a result the people live in close proximity to the Royal Bengal tigers which live in the forest. The tigers are regular visitors to Chandpai, meaning it is a place of acute "tiger-human conflict."

Mowgli

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:19:07 +0000

Mowgli, who is one of the key members of the Bangladesh Cetacean Diversity Project, is the son of the guide for our journey, Hassan.

Shushuk

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:55:07 +0000

The shushuk is the local name for the Ganges River dolphin. It is an unusual-looking dolphin, with a long snout, small dorsal fin and large flippers.

River dolphins

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:25:52 +0000

On Wednesday, experts from the Bangladesh Cetacean Diversity Project (BCDP) came on board the MV Absohar to talk to us about the problems the dolphins of the Sundarbans face, and in particular the risk from climate change. Note that these pictures are from the BCDP research, and not taken by us aboard the MV Aboshar.

The need for confluences

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:12:50 +0000

Climate change threatens river dolphins because sea level rises would sweep into the rivers and disturb the confluences where dolphins gather and live.

Death of a dolphin

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:12:48 +0000

This is an Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphin that has died after being caught in fishing nets. Dolphins, being mammals, need to come to the surface to breathe; when they become entangled in nets,

We're still deep in the Sundarbans, near Tambulbunia, meeting experts on dolphins and tigers.

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 13:13:31 +0000

We're still deep in the Sundarbans, near Tambulbunia, meeting experts on dolphins and tigers.

Tiger survivor

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:05:28 +0000

This is Abdul Gaffar, a shopkeeper in the Sundarbans. He survived an attack from one of the Royal Bengal tigers that live in the forests. “We were in a boat when the tiger attacked," he recalls. "I jumped over the tiger to save my brother. I held the tiger’s head under my belly. The tiger hit me with his left front foot - that’s where the scar comes from. Then my brother started to beat the tiger. I had to pull my hand out of the tiger's mouth. The tiger left us and went on shore."

The scar

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:05:20 +0000

Abdul's scar from the tiger attack can clearly be seen in the centre of his forehead. "When my brother came with a stick and started beating the tiger, the tiger went a little further away and started to crouch. It's face was so fearsome. But when I was holding it under my body it was so soft. I could not understand how it could suddenly be so fierce."

Off again, heading upstream for Tambulbunia. This morning visited a hidden unspoilt beach - absolutely deserted. It was something special.

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:09:59 +0000

Off again, heading upstream for Tambulbunia. This morning visited a hidden unspoilt beach - absolutely deserted. It was something special.

Owl

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 23:23:53 +0000

This owl flew ahead of us along our silent boat trip. Birds of prey are common in the Sundarbans, but the loss of habitat further down the food chain would threaten their existence.

Silent boat

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 23:13:35 +0000

To see many of the creatures in the Sundarbans involves a "silent boat trip" along the rivers. There is a small but growing ecotourism industry in the Sundarbans, and these trips are part of that. Aside from the three security guards at the front of the boat, those with us are, front to back: Russell Shubbo of the Bengali Service; Chris Ancil (Azeri); myself (Word Service Future Media); Barney Rowntree (Over To You); Rob Winter (Studio Manager) and Mouna Ba (Arabic).

Feeling the pinch

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 22:35:53 +0000

Because the mangrove is effectively flooded twice a day with the tides, the banks of the river never dry out. The wet mud makes them ideal habitats for millions of small crabs and mudskippers.

Monitor lizard

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 22:35:44 +0000

The monitor lizard is another of the reptiles found in the Sundarbans. In some places, it is believed that sighting a monitor lizard meant a crocodile was close by. Fortunately, this proved not to be the case on our trip.

Tiger tracks

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 22:31:42 +0000

Pawprints left by the Royal Bengal tiger. There are an estimated 400 tigers in the Sundarbans - one of the last sustainable populations in the world. The tigers are famously man-eating - official figures are that 25 people are killed by them each year, but it is believed the real number is at least twice that.

Facing destruction

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 22:23:58 +0000

A much better picture of the rhesus macaque, taken by John Andrew. The point about these pictures is to show the vast diversity of life visible within an hour or so of exploring the Sundarbans. But this life is estimated to be under considerable and direct threat from climate change. A Unesco report published this year stated that a 45 centimetre rise in sea level, which the IPCC is likely by 2100, could lead to the destruction of three quarters of the Sundarbans mangroves.

Macaque

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 22:16:08 +0000

The rhesus macaque, hanging around in the branches of this tree, is one of the 32 species of mammal in the Sundarbans. There are also wild boar, otters and around 30,000 spotted deer.

Bangladesh's defence

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:59:16 +0000

We have already seen how prone Bangladesh is to cyclones. But the mangroves are essential to protecting the country from the worst effects - the trees acting as a barrier to any associated tidal waves. They also absorb the energy of tidal surges. If the Sundarbans forest disappears, it will leave the rest of the country much more vulnerable to the predicted dramatic weather events associated with climate change.

The view down the river

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:51:03 +0000

This is part of the Sela Gang, one of the immense network of rivers in the delta - which ultimately is the output of the Ganges. Rivers, streams and canals account for nearly a third of the total area of the Sundarbans.

Golden kingfisher (if you look closely)

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:47:14 +0000

Hidden away in the middle of this photo is the Golden Kingfisher, one of nine types of kingfisher which live in the Sundarbans – the largest variety of kingfishers anywhere in the world, and another example of the huge biodiversity of the mangrove forests. In all, there are 270 species of bird recorded.

Moored for the night in the Sunderbans. Our connections are a bit iffy but we're trying our best to keep you updated!

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:14:43 +0000

Moored for the night in the Sunderbans. Our connections are a bit iffy but we're trying our best to keep you updated!

Bigmouth strikes again

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 19:58:24 +0000

From the safety of the MV Aboshar, we spied this crocodile taking a yawn on the river bank. The esturine crocodile is the biggest of the 50 reptile species here - others include the king cobra, pit viper and monitor lizard.

High flier

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 19:16:24 +0000

This eagle followed our boat as we journeyed upriver from Katka in the south-east of the Sundarbans.

Thriving birds

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 19:15:47 +0000

Fish-eating birds - such as this heron - thrive in the Sundarbands, where fishing is extremely restricted and in some parts banned completely.

Tamarind

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:57:24 +0000

This odd, finger-like fruit is tamarind. It is eaten with salt and tastes extremely sour.

Fruits of the forest

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:03:12 +0000

These are dhundal, also known as "mangrove cannonball.". When the mangrove floods, the fruit bursts, scattering the seeds into the water. The fruit is inedible, but the wood of the tree is used for making pencils.

Entering the forest

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:59:48 +0000

We stepped off the MV Aboshar to take our first look round this most important and fragile area. The Sundarbans is home to crocodiles, spotted deer, numerous species of rare birds and most famously of all, the Royal Bengal Tiger.

Forest station

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:58:50 +0000

The forest stations are very remote. Guards in some parts of the Sundarbans have to travel 40 kilometres or more to markets in order to get food. This is Supati Forest Station, where we first entered the Sundarbans proper. At Supati our boat picked up six guards to monitor our journey through the forest.

Forest guards

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:58:00 +0000

The Sundarbans are protected by Forest Guards, stationed every 10-20 km along the rivers. Vast tracts of the forest are uninhabited, and the main way in is by river; all vessels wanting to enter have to provide identification and pay a certain fee. In certain parts of the forest, fishing is completely banned, and the forest guards also monitor this.

At Kuakata deep in the Sundarbands - have seen several deer, herons and two crocodiles!

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:19:00 +0000

At Kuakata deep in the Sundarbands - have seen several deer, herons and two crocodiles!

The mangrove

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 12:28:41 +0000

Mangroves themselves are forests which grow around salty coastal areas. Because they have to adapt to harsh conditions - such as saline water and frequent inundation by tides - they are extremely varied habitats.

Indian flying foxes

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 12:04:34 +0000

These Indian flying foxes were the first of the exotic animals we sighted in the Sundarbans. They are a very large type of bat - their wingspan is 80cm.

Getting deeper into the Sundarbans after a stop to check into this protected and intesely important area.

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 12:00:28 +0000

Getting deeper into the Sundarbans after a stop to check into this protected and intesely important area.

Entering the Sundarbands proper - home of the Royal Bengal tiger and vast amounts of biodiversity.

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 11:19:38 +0000

Entering the Sundarbands proper - home of the Royal Bengal tiger and vast amounts of biodiversity.

We are in the sea - specifically the Bay of Bengal - heading west along Bangladesh's southern coastline towards the Sundarbands forest.

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 08:53:57 +0000

We are in the sea - specifically the Bay of Bengal - heading west along Bangladesh's southern coastline towards the Sundarbands forest.

Entering the Sundarbans

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 22:53:21 +0000

The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world. A protected World Heritage Site, it is split between Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, with 62 percent being on the Bangladesh side. It is a place of massive biodiversity, but it is also under great threat from the potential effects of climate change.

Lessons in surviving storms

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:26:58 +0000

Saqib, a student from Class 9, has been receiving lessons from the Red Crescent in what to do in the event of a cyclone or flood. After the warning is received, some members of his family wrap food in polythene bags, bury it and mark it. Others round up the livestock and herd it to higher ground. They are able to do this and then get to the cyclone shelter before the storm hits.

Goat in the mud

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:16:18 +0000

This lone, heavily-pregnant goat wanders the long flat land alongside the river. When floods do strike Galachipa, they simply surge over areas like this and into the town.

Wasteland

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:10:57 +0000

Much of the land nearest to the river - and hence closest to the rising water - is in a state of disrepair. Some buildings in this area have been abandoned since the 1970 cyclone.

Rickshaw bus

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:06:33 +0000

Serious pedal power is needed to get this bus going. This is another of the rickshaws that rush for the school when the cyclone warning sounds.

The builder

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:06:19 +0000

This man is one of those who benefits from the storm damage - he repairs houses. He says that his work depends on the damage, but is mostly on roofs.

Hassan

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:48:02 +0000

Hassan is the top pupil in Class 4. says he feels "very insecure" when in the classrooms. It has only been during his time at the school that the building has been so badly damaged - he remembers people rushing into the school when the cyclone warning has gone off.

Fatima

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:47:44 +0000

This is Fatima Kuzlu, one of the children at the school. "I am scared because often the bricks come off when I am in the classroom," she told us. "I am particularly scared of the floods - I have seen people die from drowning and disease with my own eyes."

Empty room

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:37:57 +0000

This is one of the classrooms that has had to be abandoned due to the risk of ceiling collapse.

Lessons outside

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:37:23 +0000

In all, the school has 700 students, but only two rooms are safe. As a result, many of the classes are held outside.

Textbook

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:35:22 +0000

On the floor of one of the abandoned classrooms is a textbook covered by dust and debris. One boy told us that he had recently been sat in class when a piece of the ceiling fell down on his friend. The unfortunate student was taken to hosptial and required several stitches to his forehead.

Empty classrooms

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:35:01 +0000

These classrooms cannot be used for lessons, because their roofs are too unstable.

The headmaster

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:32:34 +0000

The school's headmaster is proud of his school, but deeply worried about the condition he is in. He says that he is desperate for help from NGOs, as there is just nothing the government can do - there is simply not the money.

Cyclone damage

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:32:20 +0000

Ironically, the cyclone shelter appears to be one of the places most badly damaged by storms. "It is in need of reconstruction, but the government has no money for this," the headmaster said."If another cyclone occurs, the people cannot come here. They will have to stay on the streets."

The storeroom

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:32:00 +0000

However, once we got inside the school building it became clear that as a shelter it will no longer work. The headmaster showed us this room which is crumbling away; it can only be used for storing books now, and would be incredibly dangerous to be inside if there was a storm.

School and shelter

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:23:02 +0000

Before 1970, there was no warning and no shelter. Now there are around 40 in the region. Galachipa Primary School is the main one for the town.

Rickshaws

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:22:20 +0000

Dimitry from the Russian Service films a passing rickshaw. When the cyclone warning goes, rickshaws are essential for getting people quickly to the cyclone shelter.

Life on the edge

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:20:41 +0000

Ben Sutherland explains how Bangladeshis are adapting to minimize as much as possible the negative effects of climate change.

Safer houses

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:14:31 +0000

Interestingly, the residents say that the frequency of cyclones has in fact decreased in the last 20 years. They also say they feel more secure because the culture of building has changed - before 1970, people mostly lived in mud houses, but they have now switched to using bricks.

DSCF1684

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:12:11 +0000

The fish seller

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:09:48 +0000

This man buys fish from local fishermen to sell them at the market - but during cyclones and flooding there are no fish coming in. He explained that one hour before the storm, the Red Crescent announces that a cyclone is imminent. The people of the town then rush for the cyclone shelter, which is located at Galachipa Primary School.

Using water wisely

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:59:09 +0000

On the way into the town is this large billboard which urges children to save water - by making sure they turn the tap off when washing.

Halfway built house

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:58:35 +0000

Building near the water is especially risky, but there are measures that can be taken during construction to strengthen houses against damage, including putting in extra supporting columns and better securing the roof.

Houses on stilts

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:54:25 +0000

After getting off the boat, one thing that is immediately apparent is that the houses closest to the water are built on stilts. This is a measure common in many parts of the world susceptable to flooding - affording at least some protection from the rising waters.

Outside Galachipa

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:21:11 +0000

Galachipa is in the far south of Bangladesh - an area acutely prone to extreme weather such as cyclones and flooding. As one of the potential effects of climate change may be that both these events will become more severe, we visited a school that doubles as a cyclone shelter to see how people prepare for these dramatic events.

Briefly in Galachipa, where we have visited a school which doubles as a cyclone shelter.

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:31:40 +0000

Briefly in Galachipa, where we have visited a school which doubles as a cyclone shelter.

Below decks

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:58:28 +0000

Eric Camara of the Brazilian Service heads back to the top deck after a trip down to his cabin.

A moment's thought

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:57:30 +0000

Sushilikumar Jha of the Hindi Service ponders for a moment with James.

Chris and Vafa

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:55:33 +0000

Chris Ancil and Vafa Fakhri check their piece for the Azeri Service at their laptop.

Fact check

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:55:18 +0000

Jessica Ayers - the PhD student of Dr Saleemul Huq who has stayed on - checks her figures with Dr Atiq Rahman.

Filing back

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:54:57 +0000

Dmitry Shishkin from the Russian Service prepares his first report.

Working into the night

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:22:06 +0000

By 6pm, nearly every space is taken and laptops are humming, powered by the solar panel on the roof.

Golden rays

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 23:07:25 +0000

Another of John Andrew's spectacular images from along the journey.

On the bench

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 23:02:05 +0000

Vafa Fakhri, Siobhann Tighe and Dr Atiq Rahman take a few moments out from the hectic afternoon.

Cecilia

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 23:00:50 +0000

Cecilia Barria of the Latin American section with microphone in hand - although here she is actually interviewing the birds - the picture is a publicity shot.

Preparing for the interview

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:56:31 +0000

Mark Dummett, from BBC World's Asia Today programme, gets ready to interview project manager James Sales on the roof of the boat.

Sunset

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:54:52 +0000

By around 5pm, work was starting in earnest - although John Andrew still got the chance to take this stunning photograph of the sunset.

Liston and Dr Rahman

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:54:15 +0000

Liston of the Indonesian Service records his interview with Dr Atiq Rahman of the IPCC.

Intense skies

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:39:51 +0000

Although the storm has passed, the clouds still threatened behind the boat.

Children on the shore

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:25:54 +0000

As the MV Aboshar headed further town, we passed by this group of children above the riverbank - who ran excitedly alongside. Again, the effect of erosion can clearly be seen - the bare soil exposed along Bangladesh's ever-changing landscape.

New newsroom

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 21:29:12 +0000

Once lunch has been cleared away, the journalists begin unpacking and setting up their workstations. It does not take long before the main cabin resembles a mini newsroom.

Over to him

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 21:29:04 +0000

Barney Rowntree, from the World Service audience feedback show Over To You, takes the chance to catch some late sun.

Small shelter

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:36:28 +0000

Over on the riverbank, one walker - caught out in the rain - is grateful that he took his umbrella.

In tatters

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:35:53 +0000

Our proud display lies in tatters on the deck.

The debris

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:35:41 +0000

Meanwhile, Said Musa demonstrates the impact of the storm - there is no serious damage to the ship, but the lovingly-crafted bunting has been all but destroyed.

A chat on deck

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:35:11 +0000

Still sheltering from the last drops of the storm, Keith Adams from newsgathering at the World Service talks to Dr Atiq Rahman, another new arrival who has replaced Dr Saleemul Huq as our resident IPCC advisor.

Hello from Vafa!

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:34:55 +0000

Now in the suddenly bright sunshine, Vafa Fakhri, of the Azeri Service, would just like to say hello to her daughter Nergiz.

Windswept Rob

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:31:14 +0000

Rob Winter, one of our Studio Managers, takes a rest after rescuing large amounts of very important and expensive equipment from the roof of the boat as the sudden squall hit.

Clearer skies

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:31:06 +0000

The view from the front of our boat as the weather suddenly cleared again - although the wind remained strong.

Pelting down

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:30:28 +0000

This picture gives an indication of how fiercely the storm struck.

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:26:59 +0000

The squall

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:26:49 +0000

Very suddenly, the weather turned and an intense squall engulfed the boat. Very strong gusts coupled with intense rain that was almost horizontal

A joke over lunch

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:26:43 +0000

New arrivals Lili, from the Chinese service, and Cecilia, from the Latin American section, have a laugh following their meal.

Cigarette break

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:25:29 +0000

The smoking ban applies as much aboard the MV Aboshar as it does back in the UK. Smokers - such as Miti, a journalist from one of the national papers here - have to go outside, even in the wind and rain...

On the pier

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:02:17 +0000

We got a few waves and cheers as we headed past one of the piers on the way out of Barisal.

Anchors away

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:02:00 +0000

Ours was one of several vessels steaming away from Barisal this Sunday morning.

Leaving Barisal

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:01:48 +0000

Barisal is one of the most significant places along our journey - as indicated by this enormous passenger ship berthed there. We will return and explore it properly in around 10 days.

A spot of lunch

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 19:56:26 +0000

A few minutes later, our new arrivals were tucking into lunch. Most typically, it has included goat or fish, stewed vegetables, lentil dhal and rice.

Climbing up

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 18:31:32 +0000

After such a trip, the chance to get aboard the MV Aboshar was very welcome for our new arrivals. The boat would then be taking a very long journey south, which means we would not get a chance to go on land today - giving me the opportunity to take a few pictures which show what life is like for us aboard the boat.

Coming aboard

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 18:23:32 +0000

Our new arrivals - including members of the the Chinese, Latin American, Azeri, Brazilian, Hindi, Mandarin, Indonesian and Russian services - came on board in Barisal, after a seven-hour journey by bus from Dhaka.

Arrived at Barisal, where we have picked up several new BBC journalists - and bid farewell to Ismail.

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 13:26:51 +0000

Arrived at Barisal, where we have picked up several new BBC journalists - and bid farewell to Ismail.

In the netting

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 05:08:20 +0000

As bad as it was inside the boat, it was nothing compared to the outside. Thousands of the moths were caught in the netting put up a few nights ago.

At the windows

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 05:07:31 +0000

There are 28 of these windows around the main cabin; all of them were in the same state as this.

Main attraction

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 05:06:46 +0000

As some of us were still working, there was no chance of turning out the lights that were drawing the moths in. Here they are in the main part of the boat, the large cabin on the top deck.

On the panels

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 05:06:34 +0000

The moths were not very big, but they were plentiful.

Insect invasion

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 05:06:18 +0000

Our first night in Bhola it was flies who descended in their thousands on the MV Aboshar; on our second it was moths. This picture is of one of the windows inside the boat.

And it's goodnight from us...

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 23:49:18 +0000

Masud wraps up the programme bang on time. The river show will now move onto Mongla, where we will do it all again at the same time next week.

Swooping down

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 23:22:25 +0000

The helicopter gets low to take in the set and the MV Aboshar in the background.

Tracking shot

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 23:16:51 +0000

The camera crane with the helicopter above. The footage will appear on the partnership local TV channel I, as well as on the Bengali webpage, www.bbcworldservice.com/bengali.

First it was beetles. Then flies. Now the boat is being invaded by moths! They're everywhere - look out for the pictures tomorrow.

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 23:08:33 +0000

First it was beetles. Then flies. Now the boat is being invaded by moths! They're everywhere - look out for the pictures tomorrow.

The panel

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 22:59:15 +0000

Presenter Masud Khan, in the centre, with the panellists - Dr Saleemul Huq, advisor to the PCC; Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, of the NGO Coast; and two local representatives of Bangladesh's major political parties.

Preparing the set

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 22:51:43 +0000

People file around as last-minute checks are made before filming begins. The format is the same as for the Question Time programme in the UK - around six or seven questions are supplied by the audience beforehand, and then other people can ask supplimentary ones.

View from the MV Aboshar

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 22:51:24 +0000

Showing the docks, just below which the Sanglap was being filmed.

James and Rob

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 22:50:21 +0000

From the deck of the MV Aboshar, James Sales (left), project manager, checks his phone (again) whilst studio manager Rob Winter keeps an eye on things over on the riverbank.

A watchful eye

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 22:50:04 +0000

Louise Bisdee, who is overseeing health and safety during the trip, keeps a watchful eye on the crowds as they arrive at the sanglap.

In the fields

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 22:48:26 +0000

This is another of the great photos taken by John Andrews. Some had heard about the programme from the radio; others from publicity around the town; and some were simply attracted by the sound from the helicopter.

Down to the water

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 22:43:48 +0000

Another reason the Sanglap drew such attention is that national media in Bangladesh tend to take much less interest in stories outside of Dhaka. The BBC's arrival in this intensely rural area was therefore a big thing - the Sanglap programmes are about making an effort to voice their issues and problems.

Watching from the bank

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 21:15:21 +0000

The crowds demonstrate the popularity the Bengali Service enjoys in this part of the world. The BBC has a historic relationship as a trusted brand for the people of Bangladesh - it was the only credible organisation broadcasting during the war of independence in 1971, and has enjoyed tremendous popularity ever since.

The audience

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 20:43:28 +0000

The audience of 150 people were selected guests who had appplied in advance to be here - either by writing, emailing or phoning the Bengali Service.

The crowds arrive

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 20:38:21 +0000

Well before filming of BBC Bangladesh Sanglap - a question-the-panel show in Bengali - the crowds began to gather. This show, the first of four along our route, was being filmed on the riverbank in Bhola.

The retired businessman

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 20:09:19 +0000

Noural Islam is a former businessman and advisor, now retired. He describes himself as a "man of Bhola" and belives that people are responsible for climate change. "Everywhere in Bangladesh will be affected," he adds. "This is a problem where both politics and nature attacks us. It all depends on God and whether he likes the position We must alert all people to our position and what the future holds.”

Vegetables on sale

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 19:58:31 +0000

This man did not say anything about climate change, but his produce gives a flavour of what is on offer in Bhola Town's bazaar.

Pleased the Sanglap seems to have gone well. Now sorting the pictures from our visit to Bhola Town.

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 19:49:33 +0000

Pleased the Sanglap seems to have gone well. Now sorting the pictures from our visit to Bhola Town.

The policeman

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 19:48:10 +0000

Humayan Noun is a former policeman, now retired. He was buying eggs when we approached him. He said he was already experiencing climate change. "In earlier times, there was a lot of green open space, there were lots of trees, and lots of uncultivated land," he said. "The weather had balance. Now there is no open space, and the industry is increasing and the population is increasing; this is why the weather is changing. The summer is to long and too hot; the rainy season is coming later; the winter is too short. We are harvesting too much from nature."

The journalist

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 19:45:06 +0000

Manoj Kusmar writes for the local newspaper in Bhola Town. He said that the local government rates the risk of flood and cyclones striking at eight out of ten. He explained that he reports on "river eroision and water development, that a sea level rise is likely and the water is becoming more saline, but nobody is interested." He added that once every five years, the weather is hot enough to kill people, and that a number of old people have lost their lives this year through that reason.

The tobacco seller

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 19:33:36 +0000

Seventy-year-old Abdul Hassan has lived in Bhola for 15 years. He sells tobacco, matches and pipes on one of the streets in Bhola Town's bazaar. “The days are very much hotter now, and the nights much colder," he said. "It has been this way for four or five years. I have already suffered from these changes; floods three months ago broke through into my home. Rich countries like America and India have not banned carbon dioxide. When they do it will be sorted."

The shopkeeper

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 19:18:13 +0000

And here is that shopkeeper. Like his counterpart in the nearby general store, he too was sceptical about climate change. "“The climate is always changing," he said. "Flooding has always been going on; it is inevitable everywhere, because this is the biggest delta district in the country. When the levels of the Meghna rise, flooding is imminent - it is simple.”

Lentils and grain

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 19:14:28 +0000

This is some of the stock of one of Bhola Town's food stores. When we spoke to shopkeeper there, he explained that when the floods come, he tries to save whatever he can - but anything else has to be destroyed.

The traffic warden

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 19:04:03 +0000

Trying to keep some order in the intense traffic - and doing so armed with only a few cones and some orange string - was this man. “Yes, there is some change. Winter takes longer to arrive. But why? I think the question is controversial. It is a political issue. I don’t understand these things.”

Delivery boy

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 19:03:48 +0000

Sadly, this man was in rather too much of a hurry for us to ask his opinon on climate change.

Bhola Town

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 19:02:58 +0000

Bhola Town is typical of many such places in this part of the world - crowded main streets teem with bicycles and rickshaws, closely-packed corrugated iron buildings creak in the breeze, and people generally shout at you if you stand in the middle of the road taking pictures.

The store manager

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 18:54:38 +0000

Such was the crowd surrounding us when we first arrived in Bhola Town that this was the best picture I could get of our first interviewee, the manager of general store. (He is actually in the centre, wearing glasses; the man Siobhann is talking to is our interpreter.) The store manager was little concerned about climate change: he said simply that "there is more good weather than before.”

On the bus

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 17:45:30 +0000

This is the bus we caught on the way to Bhola Town. It was quite empty when we first boarded; it would not stay that way for long...

Waiting for the start of the Sanglap programme - an hour question show on TV, live from the riverbank.

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 14:53:39 +0000

Waiting for the start of the Sanglap programme - an hour question show on TV, live from the riverbank.

Flies

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 02:10:35 +0000

That night, the boat came under an even worse attack of insects than we have had before. Hundreds of thousands of tiny flies - small enough to slip through the netting that covers our windows - swarmed from the nearby paddy fields over to the MV Aboshar. They were particularly attracted to the lights.

Checking the chairs

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 23:16:05 +0000

Sanglap presenter Masud Khan, on the left, checks his seat is to his posterier's liking, while our ship's co-ordinator Hassan (on the right) makes sure the guests will having nothing to complain about either.

Bhola sunset

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 23:10:17 +0000

Another dramatic photograph taken by John Andrews. Here as a Studio Manager, he has some seriously hardcore photographic equipment - as well as having an highly perceptive eye - and is undeniably responsible for the best of the pictures amongst this set.

The workers watching the workers

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 23:02:27 +0000

People working in the nearby paddy fields came over to see what was going on as work continued on the set.

Sense of direction

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 23:01:44 +0000

The camera operators check their viewing angles and the best positions established. The programme itself will be directed by Ross Fitzpatrick, who more usually works on the BBC Six O'Clock News.

Palms

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 22:57:06 +0000

For all the problems it faces - and we will be looking at them in depth tomorrow, when we visit Bhola Town - the island of Bhola is exceptionally beautiful in areas.

Marking territory

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 22:48:03 +0000

This flag may look like Belgium has made a claim to part of Bangladesh, but in fact it is the colours of the local family which runs things in the area.

Arrived in Bhola, where we will stay for the next 3 days. Work is well under way for our Sanglap set.

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 21:41:08 +0000

Arrived in Bhola, where we will stay for the next 3 days. Work is well under way for our Sanglap set.

Singin' in the rain

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 21:15:52 +0000

As the cloudburst continued, Clem and Michelle of the World Service Trust went into the routine from of one of the most well-known musicals...

Hiding in the boat

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 21:13:59 +0000

As preparations were getting under way, a sudden downpour engulfed the set. Nearby, children sheltered from the worst of it under a net in a boat.

Taking cover

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 21:11:41 +0000

In a downpour this torrential, any shelter will do...

Nearly there...

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 19:29:21 +0000

The blocks are nearly over the guardrail...

Dr Saleem-ul-Haq

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 19:21:36 +0000

As the crew worked outside the boat, we were joined inside by Dr Saleemul Huq, one of the key authors of the forthcoming report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. On the right is his PhD student, Jessica Ayers.

Up she rises

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 19:00:23 +0000

...and with enough people pulling, the task is completed.

Working on the problem

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 18:45:14 +0000

After a few minutes planning, long poles are lowered down to the boat beneath. These will act as runners. Ropes are then attached to the top of the blocks...

The set arrives

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 18:38:22 +0000

Mid-morning and the set for the MV Aboshar, which will be in the background during the programme, arrives on a wooden craft. It consists of two large wooden blocks, which present something of a logistical challenge...

Capturing the beat

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 02:59:39 +0000

And here's Rob, our other Studio Manager, getting all the sounds of the evening. Too busy with the microphones, he ended up being about the only person not to have had a go with the instruments by the end...

Masud joins in

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 02:59:23 +0000

By this time, everyone wanted a go on the drums. Masud Khan, presenter of the BBC Bengali programmes from the boat, was next to join in.

John

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 02:59:08 +0000

John, one of the two Studio Managers who are with us for the first two weeks, also grabbed a drum and joined in. He was highly accomplished - but then he did play drums in early '90s indie group Kingmaker.