Conservation of pollinators - an urgent need

By Saikat Kumar Basu, By email
24 April 2017, 18:00 PM
UPDATED 25 April 2017, 00:00 AM
Bees and other insect pollinators are crucial natural tools for pollen grain transfers in important commercial crops and tree species

Bees and other insect pollinators are crucial natural tools for pollen grain transfers in important commercial crops and tree species around the world. Unfortunately, the native bee population across the globe is showing signs of alarming decline due to over-application of pesticides in our agricultural fields, and also due to diseases, ecological stress, nutritional deficiency, and lack of quality bee habitats. This could have significant negative impacts for future global crop production, among other things. Quality bee habitats or sanctuaries must be developed in appropriate places - undisturbed farm areas, weedy unused patches, wetland areas, along irrigation canals, parks, gardens, and lawns, and highway areas.