Post News Network
Krushnaprasad, August 26: After the government failed to take steps to protect endangered species, people have taken upon themselves to protect bats in Harichandanpur village of Khurda district. The initiative of the village has provided a huge banyan tree in the village along with a number of palm trees and black berry trees safe places for the birds.
After a decision in this regard was taken at a village meeting recently, the locals are keeping a watch on the place on a turn basis to keep poachers at the bay. The meeting resolved to levy penalty of Rs 1 lakh on the person poaching the birds. Moreover, person who does not inform the village committee even after seeing a poacher killing the bats will also be penalized with Rs 1 lakh.
Notably, thousands of bats were sighted in the area 10 years ago. When the forest department did not take any steps to protect the mammal species, the poachers took the opportunity.
The bats are sold at high prices in the locality as it is believed that old asthma gets cured by consuming bat meat.
Green activists of the area, while praising the endeavour of the villagers, also demanded that the forest department should come forward to protect the species.