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.
