K. R. Senacha
Other projects
14 Dec 2007
Status Survey and Conservation Education Campaign: A Community Participation Approach to Protect Bats in Thar Desert
26 Jul 2010
Status Survey and Conservation Education Campaign: A Community Participation Approach to Protect Bats in Rajasthan, Part of the Thar Desert
The project aims to investigate the diversity of bats in Jalore and Barmer districts of Rajasthan part of the Thar Desert in India and launch Bat Conservation and Awareness Campaign (BCAC) to protect them.
Bats, being pollinators, seed dispersers and insect eaters, contribute significantly for betterment of the ecosystems and environment we live in. Rajasthan part of Thar Desert in India have seen remarkable depletion in populations and species diversity of bats over last two decades. Apparent among cited reasons for this decline are prevailing misconceptions and dearth of awareness among locals about ecological and economical significance of bats. Efforts to resolve this problem through RSG 1st and 2nd Projects in Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner districts of the Thar were quite prolific.
A logical approach of educating the people, about the nature; ecological and economical significance of bats through execution of Bat Conservation and Awareness Campaign (BCAC) and inception of Bat Clubs in RSG 1st Project (Ref.: 06.08.07) at Jodhpur and RSG 2nd Project (Ref.: 8400-2) at Jaisalmer and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan Parts of the Thar Desert in India was much appreciated; and response received from participants and public in general was overwhelming. BCAC drive was quite successful in eliminating the prevailing misconceptions and inculcating a sense of appreciation among locals about bats (Senacha, 2009; 2012). Beside this, status surveys carried out during these two projects not only reviews current status of the earlier reported bat roosts but divulged into many new roosts and species occupied there. Geoffroy’s Trident bat, Asellia tridens reported from Jaisalmer during survey of RSG 2nd Project is first record of this species from India.
To accomplish the wider objective of conservation of bats in entire Rajasthan Part of the Thar Desert it is believed and strongly recommended that similar types of efforts be exercised in its remaining districts (Senacha, 2009; 2012). Therefore, in this RSG Booster Grant Project (Ref.: 11950-B) we propose to undertake status survey of bats, execution of BCAC and inception of Bat Clubs at Jalore and Barmer districts of Rajasthan parts of the Thar Desert.
The study area, Jalore and Barmer districts of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, would be logistically surveyed thoroughly to reveal the existing roosts and species diversity of bats. Reported bat roosts will be studied to ascertain species composition, population dynamics and their potential threats. So as to root out prevailing misconceptions and inculcate sense of appreciation about bats among locals, lectures themed of types, nature, ecological and economical significance of bats of the Thar Desert will be delivered using LCD projector and relevant workshops will be organized at schools, colleges, and community gatherings at different destinations in study area of Jalore and Barmer districts through execution proposed BCAC.
We will organize onsite exposure trips to potential bat roosts for enthusiastic locals, students and staff members of educational institutes located in their close proximity and motivate them for formation of Bat Clubs in lieu of protecting the species of bats inhabiting there for forever.