A decade gone, but bats keep flat owners hanging by the thread

Ghaziabad: Residents of Ashiana Palm Court in Raj Nagar Extension said a persistent bat infestation in the society has made life difficult for the past decade. Several bats have made their home in the basement, walls and alcoves, with their droppings causing foul smells and breathing problems for some.Vivek, a member of the apartment owners’ association, said they had contacted the municipal corporation, the district administration as well as the forest department for redress in the matter but they had received no response so far. “Since some species of bats are protected under Wildlife Act, we wanted the forest department to relocate them. We have written emails and given reminders to GMC and the district administration too but to no avail,” he said.Vivek says the bats have almost taken over the basement and often get inside cars parked there. They then attack the drivers when they try to use the vehicles. “One time, a bat was found inside the car’s engine during servicing,” he said.Cleaning staff also face attacks from the animal. “The extreme dirt and smell from their droppings have made the basement virtually inaccessible,” Vivek added.For Shailendra Kashyap, the issue is not confined to the basement only. “My flat is on the ground floor. I encounter the bats and their stench as soon as I step out of my home. It has become unbearable for me,” he said.President of the owners’ association Rakesh Kumar said, “We have tried to work out solutions in the past, but nothing concrete could be devised.” He said an email to the CM’s office got a lukewarm response — an auto-generated reply that read “register your complaint on Jan Sunvai Portal”.A response from the departments concerned is awaited.The State of India’s Bats Report highlights that seven species are considered threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), including the critically endangered Kolar leaf-nosed bat. Widespread urbanisation, deforestation, and mining threaten fragile cave and tree-roosting sites.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Noida | Silver Rate in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida | Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Petrol Price in Noida | Diesel Price in Noida | CNG Price in Noida | LPG Price in NoidaStay updated with the latest Noida news. Download the TOI App.