Indian Bat conservation Research Unit (IBCRU), is established to provide an organizational support for Bat research, conservation, capacity building and outreach in India.
This pioneering initiative in India aims at preparing a detailed database on bat ecology in the country (Distribution /Diversity/Status), and will act as a resource center for capacity building, research, conservation and outreach. Regional resource centers will be established in different parts of the country by collaborating with local Institutions and organizations.
The IBCRU team and partner organizations will conduct capacity building training programmes on research techniques, undertake research projects, conservation action, population monitoring and outreach programmes to increase awareness, so that the bat conservation efforts gain priority in a country which still identifies most fruit bats as vermin and provides no protection for insectivorous species.
Objectives
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Assessment of Chiropteran diversity and conservation status across diverse Bio regions in India.
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To establish Regional resource centers for the study of bat ecology , conservation, training
and outreach by scientific collaborations with local institutions and organizations. -
To implement a bat education-awareness programme for multiple stakeholders to strengthen the conservation action plan and management.
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To work in collaboration with forest department and educational institutions in the region to establish an active network of young enthusiasts to ensure conservation research in future.
Need of the Initiative
This initiative will be the pioneering programme in the field of the bat ecology and conservation in India, as, so far the limitation of funds, equipments and lack of motivation to study these flying mammals during dark nights has limited the scope of study merely to the publication of species checklists. Through this programme we intend to prepare a detailed database on bat diversity – distribution at regional levels. This initiative will provide platform for public awareness programme in a country where protection to bats and conservation is given very low priority.
Bat’s nocturnal behaviour, difficulties on field, lack of funding & advanced scientific equipment, lack of information on Indian bats etc., have succeeded to keep young ecologist and researchers at a distance.
In current scenario getting more and more young people interested to work on Bat ecology and conservation, is the most challenging part in our country, where priority and glamour is naturally associated with large carnivore studies.
Building capacity, knowledge base, of the network of the bat enthusiasts by conducting regular training session and field activities through IBCRU is an important component, as this trained human resource will continue the research, monitoring, awareness activities in various parts of the country covering diverse Bio regions. Along with the studies diversity, preparation of bat echolocation call library is another crucial part of this initiative. This echolocation call database will serve as base line for monitoring bat ecology in future.
What we do
IBCRU ia a pioneering initiative in India, aiming at preparing a detailed database on bat ecology in the country (Distribution /Diversity/Status), and will act as a resource center for capacity building, research, conservation and outreach.
We collaborate with local Institutions and organizations in different parts of the country for training, capacity building to undertake Bat research – conservation – awareness programmes, together building database on Indian bat for effective conservation measures.
Every year IBCUR team and partner organizations will undertake 2 National level capacity building training programmes in different landscapes on research techniques, conservation action, population monitoring and outreach programmes to increase awareness. Simultaneously rapid / longterm Bat diversity assessment will be undertaken in different habitats across Indian subcontinent.