Bhimgad forest is most-secure place for Wroughton’s bats

Belagavi

: The lesser-known fact of Belagavi: there is a space in the district that is highly secured, probably one of the most-secured places in the world, which the nocturnal mammals have made their home.

Barapede caves, nestled in Talevadi village amidst the core area of

Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary

(BWS) is out of bounds for people. According to forest officials, the endangered nocturnal mammal specie of Wroughton’s free-tailed bats is a major factor for the 200sqkm forest area to be notified as a wildlife sanctuary. The bats were categorised in the IUCN Red List as “threatened species” in 2016. Earlier, the specie was identified as “critically endangered”. BWS is one of the three safest habitats in the world for them, the other being Meghalaya and Cambodia.

According to the data available with the forest department, the specie was first discovered in Belagavi in 1913 by the British. A survey was conducted during 2004-06 to know their population.

Deputy conservator of forests (Belagavi) Amarnath M V told TOI that Barapede is the most-secured place, at least in south India. “In 2011, this forest was notified as wildlife sanctuary and bats played a major role in this. This happened after the survey, which put the population of Wroughton’s free-tailed bats at 200. Though there has been no survey ever since, the place has been secured to further increase the population,” he explained.

He further said people are not allowed to Barapede unless they have a strong reason to go there. The residents of Talevadi do not disturb, even as watchers of the forest department keep strict vigil.

Assistant donservator of forests Shashidhar, who looks after the area, said no one has visited the place in the last six months.

As per an interaction with local watchers of the department, the population may have risen to 400. “However, this is not the authentic data as it is not backed by a survey. The bats are one of the key reasons behind the place being notified as high-security zone,” he added.


Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.