Pune: Floral plants donated on World Bee Day

Pune, 20th May 2022: On the occasion of World Bee Day, citizens and youths were engaged in raising awareness about the importance of Bees. The United Nations (UN) decided to mark May 20 as World Bee Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of beekeeping pioneer Anton Jansa and it is celebrated across the globe.

Pune-based Bee conservationist Devendra Jani, Founder of Bee The Lead initiative, has donated 50 Bee Friendly plants to citizens and explained the importance of Bee for Global Food security. Bee flora helps meet the requirement of Nectar and Pollan which act as food for Bees. These plants include Holy Basil (Tulsi), Aster, Jasmine (Mogra), Hibiscus, Marigold, Sunflower and Rose to name a few.

World Bee Day aims to recognize the importance of bees and other pollinators in the ecosystem. It is observed mainly to raise public awareness about the importance of bees in maintaining biodiversity. It also provides an opportunity to organizations, civil societies, and concerned citizens worldwide to promote actions that will protect and improve pollinators and their habitats, increase their population, and support the long-term development of beekeeping.

This year’s World Bee Day theme is: “Bee Engaged: Celebrating the diversity of bees and beekeeping systems.”.

Jani said “Bees play a major role in maintaining a balance between humans, plants, animals, and the environment. 1/3rd of the world’s food supply relies on Bees. Without bees, food would be scarce, and a vast portion of the population would perish from starvation. It is because they increase agricultural production around the world by pollinating. As a result, World Bee Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the threats faced by bees due to human activity and to acknowledge the significance of bees in our biodiversity.”

Native Bee species play a vital role over non-native Bees. Most of them live a solitary life and do not product Honey like the social Honeybee species. Planting a diverse set of native plants and flowers in the garden helps in protecting wild Bee colonies. Jani had involved youths and kids in this activity held at PMC Garden Ram Manohar Lohiya, Hadapsar. Increasing levels of pollution and rampant use of Pesticide, Fungicide in the farming sector are major reasons for the dwelling Bee population in India and globally.

He believes that youths should work on solutions to combat pollution and encourage farmers for natural farming techniques. Devendra has been working in this space for the past 6 years and is fondly called Mr Bee of India by all.

“It’s high time we work for their conservation. Bees do not need humans. We need Bees for our survival”, emphasis Devendra Jani.