Vanishing Bees and Butterflies: it is The Time to Wake Up

Honeybees are nature's ambassadors for carrying out noble cause of pollinating plants which has great ecological and economic significance. Their ecological role remains largely ignored as they are known more for producing honey than pollinating crops and a number of rare, endangered and threatened (RET) plant species in the forest. This nature's pollination army is in danger. The bees and butterflies are vanishing Habitat destruction, cruel and unscientific method of honey extraction, cruel harvesting of bee hive for bee wax alongwith immature larvae, use of neonecotenoids, phenylpyrazoles, certain fungicides, herbicides, genetically modified crops (GMOs), electromagnetic radiations (EMR) emitted by mobile towers and cell phones, sticky disposable cups and dust bins, colony collapse disorder (CCD) in Apis mellifera, overactivation of pests like sac brood virus disease, Nosema fungus and Varrora mite etc. have been cited as the reasons for vanishing honey bees. Mass death of bees still remains a mystery. The cases of CCD are not being reported from India but there is growing evidence that CCD is happening in India as factors responsible for CCD exist in India as well. The forest plants loved by bees for nectar and pollens need to be protected and given preference in plantation programme. The mysterious disappearance of bees is a cause of great concern and needs immediate attention before it is too late.