So far no preventive method has been found to avoid the regular damages caused by bats to our fruits. Nobody has read or heard about any efficient step, which can be taken by orchard owners, from AREU. Fruit producers use several measures ranging from firecrackers to even attaching snoek on the trees ! Spot lamps may not prove to be highly efficient because of the principle used to locate the ripe fruits does not depend on vision. We have also read about orchard owners requesting the government to legalise the shooting of bats as well as the removal of duties on nets.

To find fruits, bats - the only mammals that fly - use the echolocation principle. They use sonar by emitting supersonic sounds. Such sounds are reflected back and picked up by sensory organs, the bat can thus fly in the dark. Instead of placing plastic bags on fruit-bearing trees, it is far better to use metal sheets. Use aluminium foil such as containers of powdered milk or rolls obtainable from supermarkets.

Sheets of the size of an ordinary exercise book can be attached on different branches around the tree. The echo of the sonar from the metal sheets may mean the presence of a wall to it and thus it will not settle on the fruit-bearing trees.The above procedure has been tried and found to be efficient, give it a chance as you will hardly be a loser. Good luck!

<B>Dusruth DEWAN</B> <I>Former Rector SSS</I>