World Bee Day

 

World Bee Day is observed on May 20 annually with an aim to raise awareness about the essential role of bees and other pollinators in maintaining the health of our planet, ensuring food security, and promoting biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.

World Bee Day – History

World Bee Day was established after Slovenia’s successful proposal to the United Nations in December 2017. The date, May 20, marks the birth anniversary of Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern beekeeping, who was born in 1734. With the support of the Slovenian Government and NGO Apimondia, the UN General Assembly adopted this day to honour the significance of bees and other pollinators. The inaugural World Bee Day was celebrated on May 20, 2018.

Significance of World Bee Day

Bees play a pivotal role in the environment by pollinating plants, which supports agriculture, promotes biodiversity, and ensures the survival of many plant species. Beekeeping is also a vital occupation that provides livelihoods for millions of people worldwide. Unfortunately, bee populations are declining at an alarming rate due to factors such as habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. World Bee Day highlights the need to protect these essential creatures and promotes sustainable practices to safeguard their future.

How is World Bee Day Celebrated?

World Bee Day is celebrated in various ways to raise awareness and support for bees and beekeeping:

• Educational Visits: People can visit local beekeepers to learn more about their work and the importance of bees.
• Bee Farming: Setting up small bee farms in gardens or terraces can support bee populations.
• Honey Products: Enjoying and purchasing honey and other bee-based products from local beekeepers helps support their livelihood.
• Costume and Competitions: Dressing up like bees, participating in bee-related activities, and spreading awareness through fun competitions and events.
• Environmental Support: Supporting beekeeping charities and organizations that focus on bee conservation.

Interesting Facts About Bees

To celebrate World Bee Day, here are some fascinating facts about bees:

• Bees communicate through dancing.
• Honey bees can fly up to six miles at 15 miles per hour.
• An average bee produces only about one teaspoon of honey in its lifetime.
• To make one kilogram of honey, bees must fly approximately 90,000 miles and visit around two million flowers.
• Only female bees sting, and they die after stinging.
• Bees beat their wings 11,400 times per minute, creating their characteristic buzzing sound.
• There are over 20,000 different species of bees globally, except in Antarctica.
• Bees are the only social insects that are partially domesticated by humans.
• A honey bee visits between 50 to 100 flowers during a single collection trip.
• Bees have jointed legs but do not have knees.