The present study was carried out to monitor three roost sites of Indian flying fox (Pteropus giganteus) populations during the period November 2010 to October 2011 near Purulia, West Bengal, India. At all three sites, bats were found to occupy different tree species (Eucalyptus sp., Dalbergia latifolia, Tamarindus indica and Terminalia arjuna) outside villages for day roost sites in close proximity to water bodies. Behavioural observations were made based on all occurrence method where all behaviours observed for duration of 30 minutes was noted during each census for the entire study period. Favourable roosting conditions were found to support higher bat abundance. Moreover, bat abundance and ambient temperature were found to be negatively correlated, and mass die-offs and population decline were recorded in the hotter months of the year (April -July). Study of bat guano revealed aspects of their feeding habits and their pivotal role as seed dispersers. Information from local villagers affirmed that the bat populations occurring at the roost sites are more than a century old and are regarded as sacred. Moreover, no direct conflicts were recorded between the bats and villagers during the present study. According to the villagers bat populations are declining due to road expansion, cutting of trees and hunting by outsider nomads; these aspects need serious attention from the authorities concerned.

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Tannery wastewater in the East Calcutta Wetlands (a Ramsar site of West Bengal; number 1208) exerts adverse effects on commercial fish production and subsequently affects humans. The present study was conducted to investigate acute and chronic toxicity of tannery effluent on a fish biosystem by examining oxidative stress enzyme expression in different organs including liver, gills, and muscle following exposure. Phosphatases, both alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase, and antioxidant superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activities were determined in guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata) exposed to sublethal concentrations of composite tannery effluent. Data demonstrated that tannery effluent was capable of interfering with metabolic processes of fish by altering stress enzyme activities in fish organs, resulting in cellular injury. Data suggest that elevated activities of stress enzymes in fish upon exposure to environmental pollutants may serve as important biomarkers for oxidative stress.

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