"anthropized environments can provide an acceptable habitat for a large range of bat species, generating thus a higher diversity of bats and in turn of bat-borne viruses next to human dwellings … This increases the risk of transmission of viruses through direct contact, domestic animal infection, or contamination by urine or feces." [0]
"Deforestation has also been associated with the increased emergence of viral pathogens, such as SARS, Ebola and other viruses of bats." [1]
The conclusions of the first paper (from April 2018) seem prophetic in hindsight: "The risk of emergence of a novel bat-CoV disease can therefore be envisioned."
I believe the premise is that close contact with nature may lead to species-hopping viruses transmitting to us. Combine that with bats like to live on human structures, double whammy. Bats are highly social and create breeding-grounds for tons of pathogens.
"Deforestation has also been associated with the increased emergence of viral pathogens, such as SARS, Ebola and other viruses of bats." [1]
The conclusions of the first paper (from April 2018) seem prophetic in hindsight: "The risk of emergence of a novel bat-CoV disease can therefore be envisioned."
[0] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5904276/
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2829318/