Four bat species missing from Delhi amid rapid urbanisation

Bats perform three vital roles in an ecosystem pest control, pollination, and the dispersal of seeds-and naturalists have recorded the sightings of 14 species of the mammals in Delhi

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

However, ongoing research by two experts says that over the past decade, at least four species have gone missing from the Capital and have likely become locally extinct.

The experts Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) assistant professor Sumit Dookia and his PhD student Rajlakshmi Mishra - have blamed the disappearance of the bat species to a loss of habitat due to urbanisation, a decline in green cover, and most importantly, the improper renovation of monuments which housed these animals.

Guru Gobind While Dookia has been analysing bat hotspots and their habitat in the Capital since 2012, Mishra began conducting her research from 2015, and they have found that four speciesthe Indian false vampire bat (Megaderma lyra), the black bearded tomb bat (Taphozous melanopogon), the Egyptian free tailed bat (Tadarida aegyptiaca), and the Indian pipistrelle (Pipistrellus coromandra) - are no longer seen in Delhi.

Dookia said all four species that have gone missing were earlier spotted at monuments across the city.

"Broadly, we have observed a decline in the number of the specialist bat species, whereas generalist bat species are still thriving. The diversity in species, particularly specialist species over generalist species is one of the key indicators of a healthy ecosystem and at present, it appears that none of these four species exist in Delhi anymore. This is largely linked to renovation practices that are not bat friendly, coupled with declining green areas," said Dookia.

Generalist bat species can feed on multiple food sources and are able to thrive in a wide variety of habitats and environmental conditions, while specialist bat species survive only in a narrow range of environmental conditions and have a limited diet.