A Village Living in Harmony with Bats
In Myanmar, there’s a village where humans and fruit bats coexist peacefully. The locals protect and preserve the bats that come to their village, never harming them. These bats, in turn, help keep the area green by dispersing seeds from the fruits they consume around the village.
This village is U Aie Kyin village in Sagaing Township, Sagaing Region. The Mu River, a tributary of the Ayeyarwady River, surrounds the village in ’Inverted U-curve’. Bats have been living in U Aie Kyun village for over 50 years now. According to village elders, a colony of bats first arrived in the village in 1972 (Myanmar Year 1333).
Initially, when the bats began roosting in a large tree at the village entrance, the locals were afraid. When they approached their revered monk about driving the bats away, the monk advised them to show compassion and allow the bats to stay. This marked the beginning of their coexistence.
Today, U Aie Kyun village is widely recognized as the village where large trees at the entrance are filled with bats. As one local man explains, “There must be over ten thousand bats now. They first arrived in the year 1333 (Myanmar calendar). When they came circling down and started roosting in the branches, we consulted the monastery’s head monk, who instructed us not to harm the bats and led the effort to protect them.”
It’s fascinating to see the bats hanging upside down from the branches of the four large trees at the village entrance – they look like fruits covering the entire trees. Being fruit-eaters, these bats have helped make the surroundings of U Aie Kyun village greener by dispersing seeds through their droppings. As nocturnal creatures, they sleep in the large trees during the day, adding to the village’s unique charm.
Bats play a crucial role in the ecosystem by feeding on fruits, pollen, and nectar. Among the many bat species, Myanmar is home to more than 10 species, including the Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus) and Lesser Short-nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus brachyotis). While some people dislike bats for feeding on orchard fruits, the residents of U Aie Kyun village don’t share this animosity.
Bats are important pollinators, especially for night-blooming flowers, and some plants rely exclusively on bats for pollination. They help regenerate forests by dispersing seeds after consuming fruits. Additionally, insectivorous bats help control insect populations at night, which benefits agriculture and reduces the need for pesticides. The villagers of U Aie Kyun understand these benefits well.
Their protection of the bats demonstrates that humans and nature can coexist harmoniously. These actions represent an important step in preserving the environment for future generations.