Kolar leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros hypophyllus)
Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 152510679
Conserving the rare, endemic and endangered Kolar leaf-nosed bat through community participation
Since the beginning of the project focus was on involving the local communities as without thier positive involvement nothing could be achieved. Emphasis was on creating awareness among the community about the importance of the existence of the endemic species, their conservation, and the effect of conservation of the habitat on the species and the community in general. They became a significant part of the project. The attitude of the local community positively changed from sometimes being a part of the mining process to opposing mining completely and supporting our efforts to achieve ban on mining at the site and its surrounding area. This attitude change among the villagers and our continued presence in the area and the awareness that we created among the District Administrative and Forest Department staff have brought in a change among other communities surrounding the area. The local community has taken up responsibility of the site and have ensured effective implementation of watch and ward in the area leading to restricting traffic to go past the site by erecting barricades on the roads near the site. This is leading to gradual positive change in the habitat quality. Additionally, with good rains in last monsoon and change in attitude of local community who stopped draining the water for irrigation purpose, the village tank located beside the site is filled with water up to the full tank level which in turn has led to replenishment of the water table of the village. Due to these positive developments we could help them form a Biodiversity Management Committee. They have come forward to support our plea to the Member Secretary, Karnataka Biodiversity Board, Government of Karnataka to recognise the site as a Biodiveristy Heritage Site, thus ensuring protection to the species and its habitat. With the community being supportive of our efforts.