GAIRKATA, A SAFE HAVEN FOR WILD BATS BY THE HELP OF LOCALS

By TNI Correspondent (Gairkata) ~ Edited By R. Subrata (TNI Siliguri)

Webdesk, TNI Gairkata, 27^th February, 2016: The Bats are now seen staying in the human community. Yes, that’s a reality at least at Gairkata. Their activities seem that they are feeling safe here. Now, this is because of awareness among the people staying here. The area is located near the proposed Asian Highway 48. This area is known as Badurtala in line with the presence of the Bats (Known as Badur in Bengali). Though the problem rose when the roadside trees were felled down due to the expansion of the AH – 48. However, the bats again came back to the nearby trees and made their nests. There might be more than a thousand bats in the area. The localites are involved in giving the bats a safe haven in this area by keeping a strict vigil over the Bat poachers. Bat poachers are a big threat to these creatures because some local superstitions say that Asthma can be cured by Bat’s meat. Since, the villagers have raised stiff resistance the Bat hunting has stopped to a great extent. The villagers say that if the Forest Department comes forward then the problem can be solved to a large extent. An environmentalist from Gairkata Mr. Binayak Basu also praised the villagers and local traders for saving the existence the life of the Bats in the area. He also called for more comprehensive initiatives in this regard.

Photo: TNI Correspondent (Gairkata)