Pune Celebrates World Bee Day by Spreading Awareness on Bee Conservation
May 20, 2023 : Pune gardens are buzzing with kids who are enjoying their school summer vacation. Most of them are accompanied by their grandparents. Senior citizens and youths were engaged in raising awareness about the importance of Bees.
The United Nations has marked May 20 as World Bee Day. The 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 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 in pollinator-friendly agricultural production”. City-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.
Jani says, “Senior citizens have a lion’s share in shaping the mind of their grandchildren. So I decided to reach them while they spend quality time in the garden and spread awareness about the importance of Bees. 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.”
Jani had involved seniors and kids with them in this activity held at PMC Garden Nakshatra, 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 is called Mr. Bee of India by all for his Bee conservation.
“It’s high time we work for their conservation. Bees do not need humans. We need Bees for our survival”, emphasises Devendra Jani.
