The State of India’s Bats (SoIBats) 2024–25 Report is the first-ever comprehensive national assessment of bat species in India. It highlights a paradox- ‘despite bats being the largest order of mammals in the country, they remain severely understudied and neglected in conservation policy’.
Conducted by Nature Conservation Foundation and Bat Conservation International, the report aims to map bat diversity, distribution, and conservation status, while establishing a baseline for future research and policymaking.
State of India’s Bats Report 2024–25 Key Findings
The report underscores that India hosts around 135 species of bats, of which 16 are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world. These endemic species are distributed across ecologically diverse regions such as the Himalayas, Northeast India, Western Ghats, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Peninsular India, Gangetic plains, and the Chotanagpur plateau.
At the same time, seven species are listed as threatened by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), including critically endangered, endangered, and vulnerable categories.
- The Kolar Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros hypophyllus) is classified as Critically Endangered and is known only from a single cave in Karnataka.
- Endangered species include the Nicobar Leaf-nosed Bat, Pomona Leaf-nosed Bat, Salim Ali’s Fruit Bat, Nicobar Flying Fox, and Andaman Horseshoe Bat.
- The Durga Das’s Leaf-nosed Bat is listed as Vulnerable.
Regional Distribution Patterns
The report reveals uneven distribution of bat diversity across India.
- West Bengal has the highest diversity with 68 species, followed by Meghalaya (66), Uttarakhand (52), Sikkim (43), and Kerala & Karnataka (41 each).
- In contrast, Haryana and Punjab have only 5 species each, mainly due to limited forest cover and extensive agriculture.
- Interestingly, urban areas like Delhi host around 15 species, indicating adaptability of bats even under urban pressures.
Habitat and Roosting Behaviour
Bats in India occupy both natural and human-made habitats.
- Natural habitats include caves and trees, with caves offering stable temperature and protection.
- Human-made structures such as buildings, wooden structures, and monuments also serve as roosting sites.
- Large colonies exist in locations like Robber’s Cave in Maharashtra, demonstrating the importance of such habitats.
Major Threats Identified
The report identifies multiple threats impacting bat populations:
- Habitat Loss: Driven by urbanisation, deforestation, land-use change, and climate change
- Anthropogenic Activities: Mining, hunting, and disturbance of roosting sites
- Negative Perception: Post-COVID-19 stigma portraying bats as disease carriers
- Unregulated Development: Leading to destruction of caves and forests
Ecological Importance of Bats
The report strongly emphasises that bats are ecologically indispensable:
- Pollination: Especially of night-blooming plants
- Seed Dispersal: Supports forest regeneration
- Pest Control: Consume insects harmful to crops
- Soil Enrichment: Guano (droppings) improves soil fertility
Thus, bats are crucial for ecosystem stability, biodiversity conservation, and agricultural productivity
Key Challenges
Data Deficiency
- Around 35 species remain unassessed or data deficient, making conservation planning difficult
- Example: Khasian Leaf-nosed Bat faces threats but lacks proper classification
Institutional and Bureaucratic Barriers
- Difficulties in obtaining research permissions
- Lack of dedicated research institutions
- Understudied biodiversity hotspots (Northeast, Himalayas, islands)
Negative Public Perception
- Increased stigma post-pandemic
- Reduced public support for conservation efforts
Recommendations of Report
The report calls for urgent measures:
- Increase research and monitoring, especially in underexplored regions
- Strengthen disease surveillance systems in biodiversity hotspots
- Promote public awareness to reduce stigma
- Enhance collaboration between government, scientists, and NGOs
- Protect critical habitats such as caves and forests
About Bats
Bats belong to order Chiroptera and are only mammals capable of true sustained flight. They represent a unique evolutionary group with a history of co-evolution with viruses spanning millions of years.
Key Characteristics
- Size Range:
- Smallest: Bumblebee bat (~2 grams)
- Largest: Flying fox (~2 m wingspan)
- Echolocation: Microbats use ultrasonic sounds (20–200 kHz) to navigate in darkness
- Vision: Contrary to myth, bats are not blind
- Anatomy:
- Wings are modified forelimbs
- Hanging upside down helps easy take-off
Bats and Diseases
Bats act as natural reservoirs for several viruses due to strong immune systems.
- Associated viruses include: Rabies, Nipah virus, Marburg virus, SARS-like coronaviruses. Example: Fruit bats linked to Nipah outbreaks in Kerala
- Transmission to humans occurs indirectly via:
- Saliva, urine, or faeces
- Intermediate hosts