Kashmir researchers design firefighting solar boat with UK patent

Srinagar, July 17: In a major technological breakthrough from the Kashmir Valley, a group of scientists from the University of Kashmir has developed a solar-powered, self-navigating boat to tackle fire outbreaks in Srinagar’s houseboats and deteriorating water quality in Dal Lake.What makes this innovation particularly noteworthy is that its design has been officially registered with the United Kingdom’s Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) under Registration No. 6454956 granting it legal protection and international recognition under UK design law. A copy of the certificate issued on July 8, 2025, with Rising Kashmir confirms the achievement, marking one of the first such international recognitions for a design developed in Kashmir.The boat formally titled Self-Navigating Boat for Fire Mitigation and Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring is not just a technical innovation, but a timely response to a deeply local problem of recurring fire tragedies in Srinagar’s floating communities. Over the past five years, dozens of houseboats have been gutted in major fires in Dal and Nigeen Lakes, including one blaze in March 2024 that destroyed four houseboats near the Ghat No. 15 area, leaving several families homeless.“Firefighters often struggle to reach the core areas of the lake quickly, especially during winters when water levels drop and access becomes limited,” said a senior official from the Fire and Emergency Services Department, not authorised to speak on record. “A remote-controlled or autonomous firefighting boat could save critical minutes and many lives.”Led by Dr Irfan Rashid and Syed Danish Rafiq Kashani from the Department of Geoinformatics, along with Dr Farooq Ahmad Khanday, Owais Rashid, and Jehangir Hameed Lone from the Department of Electronics and Instrumentation Technology, the interdisciplinary team combined expertise in environmental science, robotics, and geospatial technology to bring the concept to life.According to Dr Rashid the design emerged from a “dire need to intervene technologically in high-risk aquatic environments.”“This boat isn’t just about firefighting. It’s an integrated aquatic monitoring system. It can measure depth, test water quality, avoid obstacles, and plan its route autonomously all powered by solar energy,” he said. He added that the lack of accessible and cost-effective solutions for large inland water bodies like Dal Lake had long hindered conservation and monitoring efforts.The innovation is seen as a potential asset for multiple stakeholders from emergency services and lake conservation bodies to urban planners and disaster management authorities.Local houseboat owners, often the first to bear the brunt of fire hazards, expressed cautious optimism.“We have lost too many houseboats over the years, and very little has been done in terms of preparedness,” said Ghulam Nabi Bhat, a third-generation houseboat owner near Nehru Park. “If this invention can really help control fires faster, it should be deployed here as a pilot.”Another resident, Nusrat Ahmad, who lost his family’s houseboat in a blaze in 2022, recalled how help arrived nearly 45 minutes after the fire broke out. “There was just smoke and charred wood by the time they reached. This kind of boat could have made all the difference,” he said.The design, officially classified under Class 12 “Means of Transport or Hoisting” and Subclass 06 “Ships and Boats,” also represents a shift toward green technology in the region, as the boat runs entirely on solar energy. It is built for daily operations with minimal maintenance and no fuel emissions.Experts believe this development could also open doors for local startups and research institutions to collaborate on scalable technologies for environmental monitoring and disaster response.“It’s rare to see a university innovation from Kashmir receive international protection,” said Prof. Showkat Hussain, a retired academic and innovation mentor. “This tells the world that Kashmir has the talent and the will to develop solutions for its own challenges and beyond.”While the UKIPO registration offers global credibility, the team hopes for policy support and funding at home. “It would be a missed opportunity if this boat remains just a prototype,” Dr Rashid said. “With some support, we could deploy this in Dal, Wular, Manasbal and even flood-prone areas.”The registration certificate, carrying the official seal and signed by the UK’s Comptroller-General of Patents, Designs and TradeMarks, now serves not just as legal proof but as a quiet celebration of Kashmiri innovation emerging from its lakes and labs alike.