True to its rich bio-diversity, the Karnataka Forest Department has many firsts to its credit.

Be it the setting-up of the Butterfly park in Bannerghatta or the Sloth Bear sanctuary in Daroji, the State has always stood first in initiating wildlife projects.

Keeping this tradition alive the Forest Department will soon be establishing the country’s first ever bat sanctuary at the Bhimagarh sanctuary in Belgaum. The Barapede caves in the Bhimagarh sanctuary premises between Krishnapur and Talevadi, is home to the free-tailed bat Otomops Wroughtoni, which is a critically endangered species.

Unique species
This apart from the caves, also houses unique bat species like the Theobalds Tomb bat Taphozous Theobaldi bat and the rare Megaderma Spasma bats.

“The Bhimagarh sanctuary is an ideal spot for setting up of the country’s first ever bat sanctuary. A proposal to set up this unique project has been sent to the Central government which is awaiting clearance,” said A K Verma, Principal Conservator of Forest, Karnataka Forest Department. 

Other projects
Among other projects which is under way is the Project Great Indian Bustard in Haveri district which again is awaiting the Central government clearance.

“The dwindling population of the Great Indian Bustard which is one of the most endangered species worldwide is a cause of concern. Around five years back there were around 800 birds, a year ago there were around 400, but now its population has been reduced to a dismal 150,” he added.

The Forest Department’s other ambitious projects like the Mysore Zoo which was selected for captive breeding of Indian Gaur and the Pilikula Mangalore Zoo for captive breeding King Cobra has already been initiated.