By hearing the sound from a distance, it can be understood that bats have a sanctuary somewhere nearby. Bats have built their own empire in Wapdapara area next to Chuadanga Municipality for over two hundred years. Numerous bats keep the bat colony buzzing with chirping sounds from dawn to dusk. During the day, the bats hang from the branches of 4 tamarind trees and run from branch to branch. This species come out for food only in the evening. People come from far and wide to see bats of this area. Property worth crores of rupees has been left for bats. Locals claim that these almost extinct animals will disappear one day if not saved now.
Baduratala area is located in Wapdapara next to Chuadanga Municipality. A man named Ibadat Ali Zoardar lived here with his family about 200 years ago. Yusuf Ali Zoardar son of Ibadat Ali Zoardar, had two daughters Selima Khatun and Hasina Khatun. After the death of the father, his two daughters got a share of the property of Baduratala, 4 and a half bighas of land. Selima Khatun lives permanently in Chuadanga with her children. And Hasina Khatun lives with her family in Dhaka.
Selima Khatun's eldest son Khokon Joarddar said that the last Eid congregation was held in Badurtala in 1925. He heard the story of the bat from his grandfather and mother. They used to say that bats have been living in the garden for years. So the trees were never thought to be cut. In 1960, there were several days of scorching heat. Bats were dying due to heatstroke. His grandfather then bought a machine for sprinkling water from India. After water was sprinkled with that machine for several days, the bats are saved. In 1992, his younger aunt cut down some tamarind trees. At present, there are four tamarind trees in the younger brother's land. There the bats are living in a safe haven. The trees are more than two hundred years old. Bats have been around for over 200 years. He said that the bats will remain as long as the tamarind tree survives.
9 sons and daughters of Selima Khatun got the land of Badurtala in Chuadanga Wapdapara through inheritance. They have taken various initiatives to save the bats.
Some of Selima Khatun's sons have businesses and residences. 4 tamarind trees have fallen in the land of Madhu Joardar, son of Mezzo. Trees are safe havens for bats. Thinking about that, he left 3 kathas of land to Madhu Joarda without cutting the four trees. Currently, the value of this land is more than crores of rupees. About 3 thousand bats live in four tamarind trees.
For about 200 years, bats have built their own empire in tamarind trees. Tamarinds do not grow from tamarind trees. They are kept only for food year after year. Bats hang on tree branches from dawn to dusk. During the day, the animals hang on tree branches because they cannot see. And he runs from branch to branch. As soon as the evening comes, the bats run far and wide in flocks for food. After eating, it returns to the nest before dawn.
Due to the habitation of bats, this area is named Batudratala. Locals know the place as Badurtala. People of all ages came from far and wide to see this almost extinct animal species. They were fascinated by the free roaming of bats. This animal is rarely seen anywhere else today. Young children often come with their parents to see the mammals.
Rasheduzzaman, a resident of Bazarpara in Meherpur district, said that many people have heard stories about bats. So he rushed to Baturtala to see. He is fascinated by the call of bats. He never seen so many bats together.
Tohid Hossain, a prominent political, social and cultural personality of Chuadanga Municipal area said, I have been seeing bats in the trees since childhood. After waking up in the morning, I used to hear the chirping of bats. Bats flew together in the sky. The bats brought it to Chuadanga's address. After eating at night, he stayed in the tree all day. Bats are struggling to survive in the current environment.
Zahid Mia, another brother of the owner of the land, said that the animals are like his own children. Mercy and love are born on them. No harm done by innocent animals. I left the land to save the animals. Told my children not to destroy the old habitat of the bats.
Bangladesh Environment Movement Chuadanga District Branch President Principal Siddiqur Rahman said that bats are mammals. Lives in trees during the day, foraging for food at night. Many animals have disappeared from the earth. Bats must be saved before extinction from the country. Bats have a role in environmental conservation.
Chuadanga sadar upazila animal resource officer Dr. AHM Shamimuzzaman said Madhu Mia is an animal lover. About 3,000 bats are sheltered in four tamarind trees. Saving the extinct animal. Bats survive by eating fruit and protect the balance of nature. Plants are easily pollinated by bats. Bats drop seeds or take fruits in their mouths and throw them from one place to another. Propagation of rare species of plants is possible.