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The Rufford Foundation
Final Report
Congratulations on the completion of your project that was supported by The
Rufford Foundation.
We ask all grant recipients to complete a Final Report Form that helps us to
gauge the success of our grant giving. The Final Report must be sent in word
format and not PDF format or any other format. We understand that projects
often do not follow the predicted course but knowledge of your experiences
is valuable to us and others who may be undertaking similar work. Please be
as honest as you can in answering the questions – remember that negative
experiences are just as valuable as positive ones if they help others to learn
from them.
Please complete the form in English and be as clear and concise as you can.
Please note that the information may be edited for clarity. We will ask for
further information if required. If you have any other materials produced by
the project, particularly a few relevant photographs, please send these to us
separately.
Please submit your final report to [email protected].
Thank you for your help.
Josh Cole, Grants Director
Grant Recipient Details
Your name Basant Sharma
Project title “Bats Survey and Conservation Outreach
Programs along Kaligandaki Canyon, Nepal”
RSG reference 22605-1
Reporting period July 2017 to July 2018
Amount of grant 4995
Your email address [email protected]
Date of this report 4th July 2018
1. Please indicate the level of achievement of the project’s original objectives and
include any relevant comments on factors affecting this.
Objective
No
t
ac
hie
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d
Pa
rtially
ac
hie
ve
d
Fu
lly
ac
hie
ve
d
Comments
1) To explore the bat
habitats and their
conditions
Four major habitat types were
identified in the landscape; cave,
forest land, Agro-forest land and
urbanized/rural settlements. Among
all of them cave has highest bat
species diversity as well as highly
threatened. Caves (Gupteshore,
Alpeshore laleshore and Parbati) with
long tunnels, high roofs and stony
structures formed by the series of
sedimentation process were
principally used for religious tourism.
Cave modification, construction of
temples, worshipping stony structures
with smokes, imparting electrical wires
and pollution outside the cave were
major threats to cave dwelling bats.
Landslide occurred Due to
unmanaged vehicle road
construction and turbulent flow of
Kaligandaki river and forest fire were
found to be major threats to tree
dwelling forest bats. Lack of
knowledge about bats with
superstition belives and killing bat for
medicinal purpose in Kopchepani in
Myagdi were major threats prevailing
in Agro-forest land and rural
settlements.
2) To identify bat
species richness in the
landscape
Altogether 16 species were recorded
during the project period from
Kushma, Parbat (810m a.s.l) to
Jomsom, Mustang (2,800m a.s.l)
covering nearly 100km along the
Kaligandaki river. We used only
trapping methods (mist nets and harp
trap) for the survey. Harp trap well
function in cave entrances whereas
mist net trapped the bats (Fruits and
insectivorous) that forage under tree
canopy. Bats that forage above the
tree canopy, open lands and
agricultural land farms found to be
very difficult to capture. Some bats
even detected the position of mist
nets/harp trap and diverted their flight
to escape the capture. Hence, study
site still has high potential to boost bat
species richness.
3) aware school
children, locals about
bats and their habitats
Out of 20 discovered caves, 13 were
found to host habitat for bats. 5 caves
with more than 2 species in each and
highly threatened by anthropogenic
activities were prioritized for
conservation awareness camps.
Villages, locals and secondary school
nearby these caves were selected for
awareness. School teaching, poster
distribution, interaction with teachers,
local group (aama samuha) and
cave management committee
(CMC) were done effectively to
aware them about ecological roles of
bats.
4) Generate skilled
manpower and help
them engage in
regular monitoring and
conservation practices
Project aimed to create skilled
manpower in the landscape.
However, scenario of landscape is
quite different than we assumed. Most
of the young people were on city
areas for higher studies. Remaining
young people were too busy on their
work as they have to look after the
family. We do engage few young
individuals to look after bat activity
and explore additional bat habitats
nearby their residents. We provided
them necessary knowledge and
techniques for observation. Two caves
near Baglung city were discovered
and Bat activity in Boksikhola,
Mustang and colony of Hipposiderous
armiger in Malluwa oodar of
Ranipauwa, Myagdi has been
continuously monitored by them.
5) Create “Eco-clubs”
for long term
conservation
Caves (5) with highest bat species
richness i.e. valuable and threatened
were already managed by CMC. IF
we created an “Eco-club”, there
might have conflict between two
committees over rights and
regulations. So, instead of creating
new one, CMC were prioritized for
conservation. Tourism board seemed
to be very active promoting tourism in
the caves and allocated budget (in
Alpeshore and Gupteshore cave) to
increase the visitor’s number. Trail and
temple construction inside the caves,
electric lights and visitor’s activity
were major threats to cave dwelling
bats. Project organized introductory
program with members of CMC to
aware them about bats and guide to
manage the caves in a bat friendly
manner.
2. Please explain any unforeseen difficulties that arose during the project and how
these were tackled (if relevant).
Trails and geography of landscape is very tough except the road way between Beni
to Jomsom. We surveyed all accessible caves found along the river but due to
terrain difficulty and inaccessibility there are still few caves remained to explore. We
find very difficult to hire a person who know the trail and exact location of cave
hence, for safety they were left unexplored and unstudied.
Figure 1: Landscape of study area showing Kaligandaki River near Galeshore,
Myagdi. ©Basant Sharma
We had limited number of mist nets, only one harp trap and no any acoustic
devices so, only trapping survey was conducted and we find very difficult to trap a
tree dwelling bats that forage in forest, agricultural and open lands. Bat used to
locate the position of mist nets/harp trap and continuously diverted their flight to
escape the capture. Large sized insectivorous bats; mostly Hipposiderous armiger
and Rhinolophus luctus as well as fruit bats; Rousettus leschenaulti and Cynopterus
sphinx used to cut the net strings and damaged quickly which reduces the amount
of good conditioned nets as well as probability of bat capture in next trapping.
Local people generally do not know about bats, Even school teachers were
confused either it’s a mammal or bird? Which food items they preferred? With lots of
confusion and superstitions believes (considering ghost, attacks on humans, eats
human eyes and ears, sign of bad luck) we found very difficult to correct these
believes and encourage them for bat conservation. CMC is developing caves for
touristic purposes and to increase visitor numbers, trails and temples were
constructed inside the caves, electric wires and bulbs were implanted for light which
are great threats for cave dwelling bats. Through tourism they can earn some
money and improve their income but making cave tourism in a bat friendly manner
is one of challenging issue in Nepal. We guided them not to use electric light in bat
congregating areas, hibernating periods and instruct visitors not to disturb bat while
they are at rest before entering into the cave.
3. Briefly describe the three most important outcomes of your project.
1) Several bat habitats were explored and their threats assessed
Bat activity in several habitats likes forest lands, agricultural lands, old trees and
houses were observed in the evening (after sunset) and threats they possess were
assessed. A total of 20 caves were explored among which 13 were observed to
utilize by cave dwelling bats. The caves hosting habitat for bats were categorised in
3 types: Highly prioritized, prioritized and less prioritized caves. Priority was based on
the bat species richness, colony size in the caves and level of anthropogenic effects
(visitor’s number, distance from nearest human settlement to cave, level of bat
knowledge in locals, cave modification for touristic purposes).
Table1. Caves identified from Kushma of Parbat to Jomsom of Mustang district
during the study period.
S.N Caves name Locations Elevation
(a.s.l)
Priority
order
Species
richness
1 Laleshore cave Chuwa, Parbat 824m Highly
Prioritized
2
2 Gupteshore cave Kushma, Parbat 810m Highly
Prioritized
4
3 Alpeshore cave Kushma, Parbat 818m Highly
Prioritized
6
4 Parbati cave Paang, Parbat 846m Highly
Prioritized
7
5 Milanchowk cave Milanchowk, Parbat 831m Prioritized 1
6 Army barek cave Baglung bazzar,
baglung
846m Prioritized 1
7 Aadheri cave Kudule, Baglung 855m Prioritized 1
8 Malluwa oodar Chamere, Myagdi 1211m Prioritized 1
9 Tara cave Ranipauwa, Myagdi 1189m Prioritized 1
10 Pauwa cave Ranipauwa, Myagdi 1267m Highly
Prioritized
3
11 Siddha cave Pokhare bagar,
Myagdi
1273m Less
Prioritized
1
12 Kopchepani
cave
Kopchepani,
Myagdi
2016m Less
Prioritized
1
13 Laleshore cave 2 Near laleshore cave 814m Unsuitable No bat
but
presence
of guano
14 Pipale oodar Paang, Parbat 826m Less
Prioritized
1
15 Chamere kuna Lasti, Parbat 897m Unsuitable No bat
16 Ghasha oodar Ghasha, Mustang 2125m Unsuitable No bat
but
presence
of bat
guano
17 Kokethani cave Kokethani, Mustang 2561m Unsuitable No bat,
no guano
18 Boksikhola cave Bokshikhola,
Mustang
2577m Unsuitable No bat,
no guano
19 Tukuche cave Tukuche, Mustang 2589m Unsuitable No bat,
no guano
20 Mamti cave Marpha, Mustang 2681m Unsuitable No bat,
no guano
Figure 2: Percentage
of caves on the basis
of priority orders (HP-
25%, P-25%, LP-25%
and Un-35%) recorded
from Kushma of Parbat
to Jomsom of Mustang
district along
Kaligandaki canyon.
Figure 3: Numbers of caves found in four different districts in the study site.
Figure 4: Cave entrance of Parbati cave, Paang, Parbat (Highly Prioritized cave).
©Basant Sharma
Figure 5: Tukuche cave, Tukuche, Mustang – unsuitable for bat roost. ©Basant
Sharma
Threats Observed
Major threat for bats is lack of knowledge and awareness among the locals. Most of
the people we interacted had very little knowledge about bats, as many of them
considered bat as birds that fly at night. They have had their own creepy stories
about bat entering into their houses and how they used to kill them. They used to
believe that when bat enters a house and roost in it something bad will happen.
Most of the caves were associated with cultural platform where villagers used to
smoke to worship the gods of their beliefs. Identity of Gupteshore, Alpeshore cave
of Kushma, Parbati cave of Paang and Siddha cave of Pokhare Bagar were given
behind the name of gods and goddess. Rocky structure formed after years of
weathering process inside the caves were assumed as symbol of gods by locals.
Cave tourism was observed as one of the emerging threats to cave bats.
Gupteshore, Alpeshore and laleshore cave are using for touristic purposes whereas
Parbati cave being under practice. Cave modification while constructing temple
and fire ignition inside Parbati cave is also frightening bats. Parbati cave is in great
risk of danger as vehicle road was constructed above the cave structure and
passage of heavy loaded truck and bus might destroy the cave at any time in the
near future.
Figure 6: implanting electrical wire (red circle), cemented roadway (Red arrow)
and Construction of temple (Yellow arrow) inside the cave structure of
Gupteshore cave. ©Basant Sharma
Figure 7: Roadway constructed above the cave structure of Parbati cave.
©Basant Sharma
Similarly, tree dwelling bats are also equally suffering from human disturbances.
Forest fire at Kopchepani and Lete, landslide caused due to unmanaged road
construction along Beni-Jomsom highway and landslides caused by
Kaligandaki River itself at Baisari, near Ghasha and Lete were observed as
major threats to forest bats.
Figure 8: Landslide occurred near Lete, Mustang. ©Basant Sharma
2) Bat species richness in each identified caves was documented.
For the first time, bat species richness in caves along Kaligandaki River and potential
habitats (fruiting areas, bamboo patches, forests and agricultural lands) were
surveyed. During the survey period (October 2017 and April 2018) a total of 287
specimens compromising 16 species of bats were captured using harp trap and mist
nets from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Hipposiderous armiger is the most captured bat as well as found roosting in most of
the bat roosting caves followed by Rhinolophus affinis whereas, Rhinolophus luctus,
Rhinolophus macrotis and Rhinolophus pusillus are captured only once.
3 caves were discovered to host a suitable habitat for Rousettus leschenaulti with
biggest colony recorded in Alpeshore cave.
Cynopterus sphinx generally prefer broad leaved trees and it is one of tent making
bat but in Parbati cave small scattered colonies (8 colonies, size ranging from 1 to
15) were observed. Cynopterus sphinx preferring cave is one of rare record.
Rhinolophus lepidus, Near-Threatened in national status (Jnawali et al. 2011),
recorded from Gupteshore cave was observed to emerge out earlier than the
sunsets and forage nearby the caves. This unusual behaviour of emerging earlier in
daytime is rare and might have been affected due to cave tourism. In daytime,
peoples are allowed to visit the caves and implanted electric bulbs were usually left
switched on. This might have disturbed the roosting bats and forced them to
emerge earlier than usual time.
Table2: Bat species recorded from each identified caves of Kaligandaki.
S.N Caves name Approximate
Colony size
Species Recorded
1 Laleshore cave around 300 but
fluctuate
during winter
and summer
Hipposiderous armiger, Rhinolophus affinis
2 Gupteshore
cave
More than
1500 but
fluctuate
during winter
and Summer
Hipposiderous armiger, Hipposiderous
cineraceus, Rhinolophus affinis,
Rhinolophus lepidus
3 Alpeshore cave More than
3000
dominated by
Rousettus
leschenaultia.
Hipposiderous armiger, Rhinolophus
affinis, Rhinolophus macrotis, Miniopterus
schreibersii, Rousettus leschenaulti, Myotis
(unidentified)
4 Parbati cave More than
1200
Hipposiderous armiger, Rhinolophus
affinis, Rhinolophus luctus, Rhinolophus
pusillus, Miniopterus schreibersii,
Cynopterus sphinx, Myotis (unidentified)
5 Milanchowk
cave
13
Hipposiderous armiger
6 Army barek
cave
116 Rousettus leschenaulti
7 Aadheri cave 9 Rhinolophus affinis
8 Malluwa oodar 88 Hipposiderous armiger
9 Tara cave 80 Rousettus leschenaulti
10 Pauwa cave More than 300 Hipposiderous cineraceus, Hipposiderous
(unidentified), Megaderma lyra
11 Siddha cave 8 Hipposiderous armiger
12 Kopchepani
cave
9
Hipposiderous armiger
13 Pipale oodar 1 Rhinolophus luctus
Apart from caves, three new species are captured from other sites, includes
Nyctalus noctula, captured only once near Alpeshore cave, Pipistrellus sp. and
Tylonycteris sp., captured only once near Gupteshore cave. Tylonycteris sp. (The
bamboo bat) was never recorded from Nepal. Hence, this project resembles new
and first record of genus Tylonycteris for the country.
Rhinolopus sinicus which was mentioned in update report 1 was confirmed and
corrected as Rhinolophus affinis.
The genus Myotis we captured from Parbati and Alpeshore cave seemed to prefer
cave as primary habitat and their taxonomic and morphological structures are
similar to Mytotis longipes and Myotis csorbai. Both of these species prefer cave
rather than trees whereas, Myotis muricola mentioned in the update report 1 prefer
trees and broad leaves. Hence Myotis muricola can be either Myotis longipes or
Myotis csorbai. Due to lack of authentic taxonomic details of both species this one is
remained to identify. In case of Pipistrellus, one can be either coromandra or tenuis.
Both of these species has similar taxonomic characteristics and due to lack of
taxonomic details in Nepal, species is under consultation. On the other hand,
Hipposiderous can be either fulvus or Pomona and because of lack of taxonomic
details on these species it remained as unidentified. Similarly, Tylonicteris can be
either pachypus or robustula and remained under consultation.
Please do follow the update report 1 for IUCN status and National status of each
identified bat.
Figure 9: Family Hipposideridae - 1) Hipposiderous armiger 2) Hipposiderous sp. 3)
Hipposiderous cineraceus
1
2
3
Figure 10: Family Rhinolophidae – 4) Rhinolophus luctus 5) Rhinolophus pusillus) Rhin
olophus lepidus 7) Rhinolophus macrotis 8) Rhinolophus affinis
4
7
8
6
5
Figure 11. Family Pteropodoidea: 9) Cynopterus sphinx 10) Rousettus leschenaultii,
Family Megadermatidae: 11) Megaderma lyra, Family Miniopteridae: 12)
Miniopterous schreibersii
9
10
11
12
Figure 12: Family Vespertilionoidea: 13) Myotis sp. 14) Nyctalus noctula 15)
Tylonycteris sp. and 16) Pipistrellus sp.
3) Conservation awareness camps were conducted along with CMC
Five conservation awareness camps were conducted in each highly prioritized
cave. School nearer those caves were selected for school teaching programs. In
awareness camps we aware school teachers, students, CMC and local people
about bats, their habitat and the roles they play on our ecosystem. Conservation
posters with key messages were distributed among students, teachers, locals and
cave management communities. Posters were also attached at the cave entrances
of Laleshore, Gupteshore, Alpeshore and Parbati cave as well as in hotels, tea shops
and gathering points. “Eco-tour” program was conducted in Alpeshore and
Gupteshore cave. People visiting in the caves were taught about bats and guided
them to visit the caves without disturbing the bats. Additionally, Mist net/harp trap
13
14
15
16
set up, bat capturing and handling demonstration was performed among the
members of Bat Friends Pokhara in Banpale Forest of Institute of Forestry (IOF)
Pokhara in March 2018 to motivate young undergraduate students in bat research
and conservation.
Figure 13: Bat conservation lecture session
As these caves already has cave management committee that’s why we do not
need to create a “Eco-Clubs”, instead of which interaction program with members
of cave management committee was conducted. They were taught about bats
and recommended to manage the caves in a bat friendly manner.
Figure 14: Local peoples with conservation posters. ©Shristee Panthi.
4. Briefly describe the involvement of local communities and how they have
benefitted from the project (if relevant).
School students, teachers, local women’s group and members of CMC are majorly
involved in the project. The school teaching program developed the positive
attitude towards the conservation of bats as well as others wildlife among young
school children’s. Interaction with teachers and women groups has increased their
level of knowledge towards unfamiliar bats and their habitat types. Interaction with
CMC guided them to manage the cave in a bat friendly way without hampering
the cave characteristics. Maintaining the cave characteristics would surely provide
better environment for cave biodiversity and will benefit local people by balancing
the local ecosystem. Now peoples living nearby those highly prioritized caves have
relatively higher increment in knowledge towards conservation than other areas and
familiar with critical ecological and economical services that bat has been
providing to their own agricultural farmlands and backyards. During the cave visit
one local guide was hired to show the location and path inside the cave. Project
has paid some amounts of money to the guide which somehow cover his/her few
days expenses.
5. Are there any plans to continue this work?
Yes! There is lot to do in the study area for bat conservation. Caves are threatening
due to rapid increase in visitors numbers than previous years. CMC has money
making intension and they will do anything to increase the visitor’s numbers by
promoting cave tourism. Construction of temples, implanting electrical wires and
modifying cave structure to create inner roadways is threatening the bats. These
kinds of anthropogenic pressure must be minimized for the long term conservation of
bats and caves in the area. This project is just a beginning phase which has
extracted valuable information of bats and threats they possess in the landscape
but deep down conservation and research should be in extensive manner for
safeguarding their habitats.
6. How do you plan to share the results of your work with others?
During the project period, project findings were shared among the participants of
RSG Nepal conference 2018 and Nepal Owl Festival 2018 via poster presentation.
One oral presentation about bats of Kaligandaki was given in Institute of Forestry
(IOF), Pokhara in collaboration with Bat Friends Pokhara. Few news articles were
published in newspaper and website of Nepal Bat Research and Conservation Union
(NeBRCU) as a blog posts and will continuously shared through them. I’m planning to
write one article paper on “Caves and Bats of Kaligandaki” and publish that in
International peer reviewed journal like. Several international and national
conferences will be attended to disseminate the results. Final draft of report will be
submitted to Department of National park and wildlife conservation (DNPWC),
Annapurnal Conservation Area Project (ACAp) and Department of Forest (DFO),
etc.
7. Timescale: Over what period was The Rufford Foundation grant used? How does
this compare to the anticipated or actual length of the project?
Project was completed in 3 phases of working activities and all the activities were
conducted as per the application form. Most of the grant was used in 1st phase
followed by 3rd and 2nd phase. 1st phase of work consisted 1 month of preliminary
survey and 1 month of trapping survey. Trapping survey was conducted earlier than
the project timeline as in winter bat activity will be lowed and chance of bat
capture in mist net and harp trap will be minimum. Allocated accommodation
expenses, Transportation expenses and field allowances for hired person as well as
assistants were used during this phase. 3rd phase consists of conservation awareness
camps. Allocated accommodation, transportation, field allowances, school
teaching/Eco-tour and several competition costs were utilized but working days and
total cost is slightly lower than the 1st phase. In second phase poster designing and
printing activities were done alongside publishing news articles, attending
conferences and writing blog posts, etc. This phase required relatively lower grant
amounts than 1st and 2nd phase.
8. Budget: Please provide a breakdown of budgeted versus actual expenditure and
the reasons for any differences. All figures should be in £ sterling, indicating the local
exchange rate used.
Item
Bu
dg
ete
d
Am
ou
nt
Ac
tua
l
Am
ou
nt
Diffe
ren
ce
Comments
1) Transportation
costs(two-way
transportation+ Internal
transportation)
240 270 -30 Researcher had to travel 3 times
from his residential to the study
site. Internal transportation costs
were slightly higher than we
anticipated.
2) Buying equipments
(Mist nets, vernier calliper,
spring balance, bat
bags), Hiring Harp trap
and field gears expenses
570 1010 -440 As researcher previously lacked
mist nets, Vernier calliper, spring
balance and bat bags. These
instruments were exported from
www.avinet.com. Total
equipment costs, taxes and
custom charges were relatively
higher. Harp trap was hired from
Nepal Bat Research and
Conservation Union (NeBRCU).
Maintenance and repairing costs
were also added after the end of
field visit as strings of harp trap
was badly damaged by bats.
3) Poster/ Pamphlets
making expenses
500 350 +150 1000 conservation posters were
printed form print house.
Designing and colour printing
costs were relatively cheaper
than we expected.
4)Field allowances for
assistant researchers and
local guides
1230 1230 0 Field allowances was distributed
exactly same as budgeted
amounts.
5)Food and lodging
expenses for Researcher,
bat expert, hired persons
and assistant Researchers
1625 1325 +300 Research team required to live in
hotels and some time in local
houses. Hotel expenses were
relatively higher but food and
lodging expenses in local houses
were cheaper which resulted
lower expenses than budgeted
amounts.
7)Communication
expenses
80 100 -20 Researcher had to buy extra
recharge cards for cell phones
and internet expenses were also
added.
8)Eco-Tour Expenses
(charge to guide and
snacks) and competition
expenses
615 415 +200 Guide charges during eco tour
and snacks charges and prizes
for several competitions were
lower than budgeted amounts.
9) Buying medicines,
Vaccination against
rabies and tetanus and
stationary charges
135 2 95 -160 Vaccination charge against
rabies and tetanus were relatively
higher and stationary expenses
rose higher than we expected.
Total 4995 4995 All amounts are presented in
pound starling.
9. Looking ahead, what do you feel are the important next steps?
The five caves (Gupteshore, Laleshore, Alpeshore, Parbati and Pauwa caves) host
suitable habitat for bats with colony size extending from 300 (Pauwa and Laleshore)
to 3000 (Alpeshore) but all the caves are associated with cultural practices and in
rise of cave tourism except Pauwa cave. Project guided CMC to manage the caves
in bat friendly way but management committee’s money making intension might
reverse the cave characteristics and threaten the bats roosting in it. Proper cave
management guidelines should be formulated to manage the caves in a bat
friendly manner as well as to promote cave tourism that satisfy local economy. This
could be the next step to continue the work.
The unidentified bat species from genus: Myotis, Hipposideros, Pipistrellus and
Tylonycteris needs strong species confirmation. These species must be recaptured
and should be identified through genetic analysis. Record of these species will
further add extra responsibility for researchers, community and government to
prioritize conservation and research on bats and their habitats.
Study site still has high potential for new record of bats. During our project period we
used only trapping methods (Mist nets and harp traps) to identify the bats. Some
species of bats even located the position of mist nets and harp trap and diverted
their flight to escape the capture. Species from genus Murina, Myotis and other
forest bats are yet remained to document. These species has distinctive echo-calls
records and can be easily identified through ultra sound detectors. Application of
acoustics devices might increase the bat diversity in the landscape which also could
be next step for the continuation of project.
10. Did you use The Rufford Foundation logo in any materials produced in relation to
this project? Did the Rufford Foundation receive any publicity during the course of
your work?
Yes! Rufford foundation logo was used in conservation posters and in poster
presentation. News article and blog posts were published alongside acknowledging
Rufford Foundation UK. Before starting the interaction programs in the awareness
camps Rufford foundation was acknowledged.
Figure 15: Conservation poster with Rufford logo (Red Circle) and project researcher
attending RSG Nepal Conference 2018 for poster presentation.
11. Please provide a full list of all the members of your team and briefly what was
their role in the project.
Bat Expert – Pushpa Raj Acharya
Dr. Acharya is a chairperson of Nepal Bat
Research and Conservation Union (NeBRCU)
and researcher at Nepal Academy of Science
and Technology (NAST). He is one of pioneer
bat researcher in Nepal. He involved during
the trapping survey for 15 days and guided to
setting up mist nets/Harp trap, bat capturing
and handling technique and identification
keys of several bats.
Research assistant – Sanjeev Baniya
Mr. Baniya is a BSc. Forestry graduated students
from Institute of Forestry (IOF), Pokhara. He is local
inhabitant of Pokhara valley and completed his
theses entitle “Assessing the human impacts and
seasonal monitoring of relative abundance of bats
on touristic caves of Pokhara, Nepal”. His role is to
assist in setting up mist nets/harp traps, releasing
bats from nets and their identification.
Research assistant – Anoj Subedi
Mr. Subedi is a BSc. Forestry student of Institute of
Forestry (IOF) Pokhara. He is currently awarded
with Stephen R. Tully Memorial grant to conduct a
research on nocturnal bird (owl) entitle “Exploring
the status and Distribution of Owls and its
Conservation initiatives in the Raghuganga
Gaupalika of Myagdi District, Nepal”. He is local
inhabitant of Myagdi district. His role is to assist in
setting up mist nets/harp trap, releasing bats from nets, their identification, data
keeping as well as assist in questionnaires survey/interview and preliminary field
assessment.
Local person – Yubaraj Sapkota
Mr. Sapkota is a BSc. Agriculture student of Institute
of Agriculture and Animal Sciences (IAAS). He is
local inhabitant of Baglung district and familiar with
the geography of the study site. He is involved in
the preliminary assessment of the caves. His role is
to assist in cave visit, mark geographical locations
of caves and conduct questionnaires
survey/interview with local peoples.
Conservation assistant – Shristee panthi
Mrs. Panthi is a BSc. Forestry student at Institute of
Forestry (IOF) Pokhara. She is working as a secretary
of Bat Friends Pokhara and has interest in Butterflies
too. Her role is to assist in teaching program and
poster distribution/attachment and interact with
teachers, women’s group and cave management
committee.
Conservation assistant - Bandana Subedi
Mrs. Subedi is BSc. Forestry student at Institute of
Forestry (IOF) Pokhara. She also has interest in
butterflies. Her role is to assist in teaching program and
poster distribution/attachment and interact with
teachers, women’s group and cave management
committee.
Media Person – Harikrishna Gautam
Mr. Gautam is currently working as an editor of Nagarik dainik-Pachimeli samaj and
admin of Benionline – a local media Facebook page having more than 70000 of
followers. His role is to publish bat related news in newspaper and in Facebook
page.
Figure16: Team working during the night time. ©Anoj Subedi
12. Any other comments?
During the “Bat Capturing, Handling and Identification” training ceremony to the
members of Bat Friends Pokhara in Banpale Forest of Institute of Forestry, Pokhara,
and project has successfully recorded Eonycteris spelaea which is the rare record
from Nepal and new to the Pokhara valley, Myotis sicarious (Vulnerable in IUCN and
national status) which is also new to the Pokhara Valley. Short-communication
reports of both articles are on peer reviewed process of Barbastella-a bat journal
and will be published soon in future acknowledging Rufford Foundation.
Figure 17: Bat capturing, handling and identification training to the members of Bat
Friends Pokhara at Banpale Forest of Institute of Forestry (IOF), Pokhara.
Alongside bat species richness, project has recorded presence of Red-headed
vulture (Critically endangered in IUCN) in Kushma and Maldhunga, Egyptian vulture
Kushma, Baglung, Beni and Tatopani (Endangered in IUCN) and Himalayan griffon
vulture (Near threatened in IUCN)in Ranipauwa, Tatopani and Ghasha, Asian
Wollyneck stork (Vulnerable in IUCN) in Baglung and Himalayan ghoral (Near
Threatened in IUCN) in Baisari.
At last I’m grateful to Rufford Foundation, UK for this grand opportunity and grant
support to conduct a bats survey and conservation awareness program along
Kaligandaki canyon. My special thanks to Adria Lopez Baucells, Joe chun-chia
huang and Sanjan Thapa for helping me to identify species and confirmation.
Thank you so much!!