Lunchbox Initiative: Pune Students Cultivate Bee-Friendly Neem Saplings For Conservation
Lunchbox Initiative: Pune Students Cultivate Bee-Friendly Neem Saplings For Conservation
Pune – In a unique bee conservation effort, city based Bee conservationist Dr. Devendra Jani, affectionately known as “Mr. Bee of India,” has launched the “Lunchbox” initiative at Dada Gujar School in Hadapsar. This program aims to educate students about the vital role bees play in our ecosystem, particularly in pollination, which is essential for our food production & global food security.
As part of the initiative, Jani donated 200 Neem plant saplings, chosen for their bee-friendly and medicinal properties. The students have been tasked with nurturing these saplings for six months, instilling in them a sense of responsibility and an understanding of sustaining bee-friendly environments.
The project received immediate support from the school’s principal, Mr. Patil, who recognized its potential to inspire both students and teachers. He suggested inaugurating the initiative during a school assembly, ensuring a larger audience could be inspired by the conservation effort. The assembly buzzed with the slogan “Save Bees, Save Trees”
To motivate the students, Jani announced that those who successfully grow and conserve their Neem saplings will be rewarded with a steel lunchbox. The gift serves as a reminder of the bees’ critical role in pollination, reinforcing the connection between daily meals and the essential work of bees. Jani hopes this initiative will inspire some students to pursue careers as bee scientists. The program will be revisited in May 2025 to assess its impact and award the participants.
