Truly!! Kaligandaki Canyon is Hotspot for Bat Diversity

Its been more than two years since we have started exploring the valley of deepest gorge of the world, the Kaligandaki Canyon, situated beneath and in between the mountain ranges of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri (>8000m a.s.l). With aid of financial support from Rufford Foundation, UK, The Explorers Club, USA and equipment support from IDEA WILD, USA, we used both trapping and acoustic method of survey to understand the bat diversity in the hilly region of Kaligandaki landscape. After long years of endurance and exploration effort we successfully recorded more than 20 species of bats out of 50 above recorded from Nepal. Thus recorded bats compromises 2 species of fruit bats, 1 species of carnivorous bat and >17 species of insectivorous bats. The great significance of this study was it recorded the existences of the small bamboo bat, Tylonycteris fulvida (Sano Baase Chamero in Nepali) for the first time in Nepal which has been distributed all across the Indian Sub-continent. Learn more about Tylonycteris fulvida here

Newly Recorded Tylonycteris fulvida from Kaligandaki Canyon.

Distribution of caves in along Kaligandaki river

Having more than 20 species of bats, Kaligandaki Canyon also harbors major cave systems at the mid-hill portion of the river (750m to 1500m a.s.l) i.e. from Kushma of Parbat district to Ranipauwa of Myagdi district. Five major cave systems; Gupteshore, Alpeshore, Parbati, Laleshore and Pauwa caves provides grounds for hibernation, breeding purpose and permanent shelter to some species throughout the year. Although having massive significance for bats survival, these caves are facing enormous disturbances from cave tourism practices. In order to maintain these caves suitable for bats, extensive scientific research on seasonal dynamism and adoption of bat friendly cave management practice is critically necessary. If outcome of scientific findings and ground based management are interlinked then we can create this pressurized diversified landscape into secure place for bats in future. Track our recent activity here.