Jajpur: Residents of Dala village under Vyasanagar civic body limits in this district have made exemplary contribution towards conservation of bats for over 300 years, a report said.
Not only are they protecting the nocturnal animals from poachers but also are providing them food and water. The villagers have realised that the existence of bats is highly essential for their own survival.
According to villagers, thousands of bats have made their home two tamarind trees near a temple in the village for over 300 years.
A massive fire had broken out in the village April 12, 1960, rendering over 50 families homeless and destroying properties worth several lakhs and livestock, the residents said.
But that incident never deterred the villagers from working towards the conservation of bats which are often targeted by poachers due to high demand of their meat in preparation of Ayurvedic medicines.
In the summer season, several bats leave for Jenapur, a riparian village, and return back in the rainy season. The bats that stay back in Dala are provided protection and food by villagers without any help from forest officials or any agencies. The villagers keep food and water for the animals under the tree and if needed they also spray water over the trees to save the bats from heatwave.
Living in the village for centuries, the animals know how to connect with the residents. Whenever they need food or water they chirp to draw the attention of the villagers. The villagers respond and come to their help.
Padmanabha Sahu and Ganesh Singh said villagers are united in their efforts to save the animals from extinction and will not spare anyone who attempts to kill them. PNN
