“Bats are the most diverse order of mammals in India,” said Rohit Chakravarty, India program manager at Bat Conservation International. Despite this diversity, fewer than 50 dedicated bat researchers are currently working in the country, underscoring the need to prioritize research areas, species, and geographic regions.
Out of the 135 identified species, seven are classified as threatened on the IUCN Red List. Approximately 35 species—nearly a quarter—are categorized as data deficient or remain unevaluated, indicating significant gaps in conservation assessments.
The report also identifies 16 bat species endemic to India, including the somber bat, Salim Ali’s fruit bat, the Kolar leaf-nosed bat, and the Nicobar flying fox. Most of these endemic species are either threatened or lack sufficient data, raising concerns about their long-term survival.
Chakravarty emphasized that while bats are known to roost in caves, vegetation, and human-made structures such as mines, culverts, old buildings, and archaeological sites, their feeding habitats remain poorly understood. This lack of knowledge hampers conservation efforts beyond roosting sites, particularly for vulnerable species like the Kolar leaf-nosed bat and Salim Ali’s fruit bat.
The study also highlights the ecological significance of bats, noting their role in pollination, seed dispersal, and insect control. Evidence shows that 26 species of insectivorous bats in India consume agricultural pest insects. However, the broader ecological and economic contributions of bats remain inadequately documented, limiting public awareness and policy support.
The report outlines key research questions and conservation strategies for the next decade, stressing that bat conservation cannot be confined to forest departments alone. It intersects with multiple government sectors, including cultural authorities overseeing protected monuments, agricultural agencies benefiting from pest control, renewable energy bodies addressing turbine collisions, and health ministries monitoring zoonotic disease risks.
Chakravarty noted that monuments managed by the Archaeological Survey of India have the potential to shelter millions of bats, making them critical to conservation efforts. He further emphasized that a coordinated, multi-ministerial approach is essential to safeguard India’s bat diversity.
The findings mark a pivotal moment in wildlife conservation, warning that without immediate research expansion and policy integration, India risks losing not only unique bat species but also the ecological services they provide.
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