Hilloljyoti Singha

Student Perceptions of, and Attitudes toward, Bats in Barak Valley, Assam, India

ABSTRACT Bats are commonly found all over the world and provide significant ecosystem services. These animals are facing serious threats due to various anthropogenic activities, including hunting. Additionally, bats are often not particularly well liked due to their non-aesthetic characteristics. A positive attitude to these animals is essential to protect them through appropriate conservation measures involving public intervention. Current high school students are the conservationists of the future, and the extent of support for bat conservation received from this and future generations is dependent upon their attitude toward these animals. It is therefore important to assess their perceptions of bats so that appropriate awareness programs can be devised, and negative attitudes (if any) rectified. The present study aimed to understand this aspect in order to provide inputs for shaping positive attitudes toward bat conservation. The study was undertaken in Barak Valley, Assam, India, where 65 bat colonies had already been recorded. A total of 3,059 high school students from 36 schools situated in their vicinity were questioned using a close-ended questionnaire to determine their perceptions. The responses received were divided among three categories: familiarity with bats, opinion on bats, and attitudes toward conservation, and were ranked on a scale of 10, based on selected aspects. Most students were awarded a score of four, indicating an average knowledge and opinion of bats. These findings suggest that awareness programs are urgently needed in schools to improve the general knowledge of and attitudes toward bats, and to inspire the next generation of bat conservationists.

Human-wildlife Conflict in the Forest Fringe Villages of Barak Valley, Assam, India

Abstract Human-wildlife conflict is a challenge to both mankind and wildlife and is a severe conservation issue. Villages located adjacent to protected forests are the most vulnerable sites as human and wildlife needs intersect each other in these areas. There are 12 reserve forests and one wildlife sanctuary in Barak Valley, South Assam, but no proper study has been undertaken on this aspect in their fringes. In view of this, a close-ended questionnaire survey was conducted to study the problem in such areas of the region. Four main conflict animals, viz., jackal, civet, wild boar and monkey were documented. Some other mammals, including a few endangered species were also found to cause depredation. The outcome is expected to aid conservationists for further study of the problem as well as for the management of wildlife.