World Bee Day 2019: Honey, We shrunk the (number of) bees, we must bring them back

World Bee Day 2019: Honey, We shrunk the (number of) bees, we must bring them back

Imagine living in a world without flowers or fruit or coffee or chocolate cake and strawberry ice cream. Imagine if all you could get on your pizza – is corn and mushrooms. No tomato sauce, no cheese, no peppers or any other yummy toppings. But thanks to the wonderful work of pollinators like bees, much of the food we eat and enjoy is made possible.

Where on Earth is Pimpalner?

Where on Earth is Pimpalner?

In February 2018, Martin and Marianne were invited to Pimpalner by Sujana Kirshnamoorthy to visit an Under the Mango Tree (UTMT) bee project in India. In January, staff of this NGO had undertaken training sponsored by Bees Abroad. Under the Mango Tree works exclusively with Indian honey bees.

Hunger for Bees

Hunger for Bees

Ms. Bilkule has been a farmer her entire life, but a beekeeper only for the last two years, “It’s a training program that we have carried out with over 500 farmer women from very poor or tribal areas”, says Rhea Cordeiro, of the NGO Under the Mango Tree, which encourages beekeeping as an important way to ensure food supplies for this rural population.

Vijaya Pastala makes people’s lives sweet sitting ‘Under the Mango Tree’

Vijaya Pastala makes people’s lives sweet sitting ‘Under the Mango Tree’

A classic case in point is Vijaya herself who put in 14 years of hard work and perseverance to get the venture the shape it is currently in. Not only has she worked extensively in providing community-based livelihood, Vijaya has done what she does best – analysed poverty and worked extensively in providing community-based livelihood.

Down to Earth

Down to Earth

While there has been much scientific work on bees in agricultural and forest settings, worldwide, urban bee ecology is a relatively emerging field. Very little scientific information is available on the habitat requirements of the insect in urban landscape. What is worse is that hardly any study has been done in India.