Source: IE
Subject: Environment
Context: The first-ever national assessment, State of India’s Bats (SoIbats) 2024–25, has flagged a critical data deficit and research neglect despite bats being the largest order of mammals in the country.
About State of India’s Bats (SoIbats) 2024–25 Report:
What it is?
- It is India’s first comprehensive national-level assessment of bat species, conducted by the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) and Bat Conservation International (BCI). The report aims to map the diversity, distribution, and conservation status of bats to provide a baseline for future environmental policy.
Key Findings of the Report:
- Diversity Leaders: West Bengal (68 species) and Meghalaya (66 species) have the highest bat diversity in India.
- Research Gap: There is a significant lack of research centers; 35 species remain unassessed or are data deficient.
- Roosting Trends: While caves and trees remain primary natural roosts, bats are increasingly utilizing man-made structures like dilapidated buildings and government monuments.
- Ecosystem Services: The report emphasizes that bats are vital for pollination, seed dispersal, and pest control, which directly impacts agricultural productivity and soil nutrition.
Types of Bat Species in India:
India is home to 135 species, classified into 16 endemic and 7 threatened species:
- Critically Endangered: Kolar Leaf-nosed Bat (found in only one cave in Karnataka).
- Endangered: Includes the Nicobar Flying Fox, Salim Ali’s Fruit Bat, and Andaman Horseshoe Bat.
- Endemic Clusters:
- Himalayas/Northeast: Sombre Bat, Meghalaya Thick-thumbed Bat.
- Western Ghats: Salim Ali’s Fruit Bat, Srini’s Long-fingered Bat.
- Andaman & Nicobar: Nicobar Flying Fox, Homfray’s Horseshoe Bat.
- Gangetic Plains: Durga Das’s Leaf-nosed Bat.
About Bats:
What it is?
- Bats belong to the order Chiroptera and are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight. They occupy a unique evolutionary niche, with a history of co-speciation with viruses dating back 52 million years.
Key Characteristics:
- Size Variability: Ranges from the Bumblebee Bat (2 grams, the world’s smallest mammal) to the Flying Fox (2-meter wingspan, 1.5 kg weight).
- Echolocation: Most microbats navigate using biological sonar. They emit high-frequency ultrasonic calls (20–200 kHz) and decode the echoes to map their surroundings in total darkness.
- Vision: Contrary to popular belief, bats are not blind; many species use light cues to orient themselves during flight.
- Anatomy: Their wings are modified hands with thin membranes stretched between long fingers. Hanging upside down is an evolutionary advantage, as their legs are too small to run for a dead-stop takeoff.
