Ecology and Conservation Strategy of Bats in Rural Areas
This project studied the ecology and conservation strategy of bats across a 1100 km² rural area between the Beki and Manas Rivers, stretching from the railway line in the north to the Brahmaputra River in the south.
Three species were identified: the Indian Fruit Bat, the Leaf-Nosed Bat, and the Chungabaduli. Indian Fruit Bats fed on 23 plant species and formed seven colonies across ten tree species, with a total population of 3811 recorded during the survey. Leaf-Nosed Bats, being insectivorous, were found in two colonies housed in Assam-type tin structures, totaling about 600 individuals. The Chungabaduli population was sparse, scattered mainly in bamboo post holes and threshing hut roofs.
Major threats included hunting (for food and traditional medicine), open electrification, and habitat loss due to deforestation. Notably, landowners in colony areas supported conservation efforts and actively resisted hunting activities, helping to sustain bat populations. In contrast, regions like Roha, where hunting was prevalent, showed an absence of fruit bats.
The study recorded the average adult weights and wingspans of the species:
- Indian Fruit Bat: 1.25 kg, 131 cm
- Leaf-Nosed Bat: 45.5 g, 47 cm
- Chungabaduli: 10 g, 20 cm
This research highlights the critical need for community-driven conservation initiatives to protect bat species in rural ecosystems and underscores the close relationship between human activities and wildlife survival.
