World Bee Day 2020: Save The Bees.

Wednesday, 20 May 2020

World Bee Day is a day commemorated around the globe to raise awareness about the threats and the need to protect pollinators such as bees, beetles, birds, bats and butterflies.

 

In December 2017 UN approved this day and the First World Bee Day was celebrated on Sunday, 20 May 2018

 

Why this date?

May 20 coincides with the birthday of Anton Janša, who is considered to be one of the fathers of modern beekeeping techniques. He was born on the 20^th of May 1734 in Breznica, Slovenia where did immense personal studies on bees, hives, hive activities and hive dwellers . He went on to wrote several books on apiculture.

 

Purpose of the World Bee Day

The purpose of the bee day is to acknowledge the role of bees and other pollinators for the ecosystem.

 

Theme of World Bee Day 2020

“Save the Bees” is the theme of World Bee Day 2020. By this theme, the United Nations has stressed upon the protection of bees, other pollinators and their habitats.  This is in response to massive bee mortality due to anthropogenic activities.

 

This can be done by:

 

1. More research work must be done to come up with bee friendly agrochemicals so as to provide bees with habitats free of pesticides.

 

2. Create habitat full of nectar and pollen resources and ample potential nesting resources.

 

2. Bees need water for survival. Placing a bird bath with some stones inside will be ideal for bees to crawl on.

 

4. For soil nesting bees, having bare spot or sandpile in the garden will be ideal for their nesting needs.

 

5. Place a bee hive in the garden for honey bees which prefer to nest in hives.

 

6. Always have a food garden at home or at your workplace as gardens are known to have 50% nectar plants or plants that rely on bees for pollination. These include pumpkins, bastard spinach, butternuts, tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, beetroots, bell peppers and melons.

 

7. Tree planting and protecting existing forests must be a priority.

 

8. Quality education on the importance of the bees and other pollinators, should be given to the general population in support of the UN World Bee Day and SDGs.