One of the primary goals of the day is to boost measures aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators. This crucial measure will significantly contribute to solving problems related to food supply across the globe. Moreover, this would ultimately eliminate hunger in developing nations.
Honey bee, representative image. (Photo credit: Unsplash)
New Delhi: Honeybees might look small, but they are a crucial part of our biodiversity. They are not only the source of honey for human beings but also help plants produce their offspring. They are one of the great pollinators and play a significant role in the pollination of flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Honeybees live in colonies and many species still occur in the wild. However, they are disappearing from hives because of the collapse of their colonies. It is important to take the necessary action to safeguard this important part of our biodiversity. It can be possible through raising awareness among people, and thus World Bee Day is celebrated on May 20 every year.
The importance of World Bee Day
The United Nations designated May 20 to raise awareness about the importance of pollinators, the threat they face, and their contribution to sustainable development. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for people with the same goal and motive of saving pollinators to come together, discuss, and make necessary decisions to protect this small but crucial part of our nature.
One of the primary goals of the day is to boost measures aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators. This crucial measure will significantly contribute to solving problems related to food supply across the globe. Moreover, this would ultimately eliminate hunger in developing nations. Every living being on this planet is directly or indirectly dependent on pollination, the process of transferring pollen grains from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma.
Role of pollination and pollinators
Pollination is a fundamental process for the well being of our ecological balance. It is estimated that around 90 per cent of flowering plants across the globe are mostly dependent on animal pollination. Pollinators not only contribute directly to food security but are also key to conserving biodiversity. However, intensive farming practices, mono-cropping, land-use change, pesticides and higher temperatures related to climate change all pose several challenges for bee populations.
Why to observe the day on May 20?
May 20 has been chosen to celebrate the day as it coincides with the birthday of Anton Jansa, a man who developed modern beekeeping techniques in 18th century. While developing the techniques in his native Slovenia, Anton not only realised the efforts and hard work of bees but also praised them for their ability to work so hard, while needing so little attention.
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