INTRODUCTION :

The honey bee has been around for about 30 million years. It is the only insect that produces food consumed by humans called honey. The Honey Bees are very important part of the biodiversity on which our survival is depend. They provide high-quality food like honey, royal jelly and pollen and other products viz beeswax, propolis (a brownish resinous material of waxy consistency collected by bees from the buds of trees and used as a cement in repairing and maintaining the hive) and honey bee venom. Honey bees are often celebrated not just for their sweet honey but for their critical role in maintaining ecological balance.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HONEY BEES FOR ECOSYSTEMS AND THE ROLE OF FOREST CONSERVATION IN INDIA :

Beekeeping provides an important source of income for farmers and many rural livelihoods. According to IPBES (Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services), the western honey bee is the most widespread managed pollinator globally, and more than 80 million hives produce an estimated 1.6 million tonnes of honey annually.

When animals and insects pick up the pollen of flowers and spread it, they allow plants, including many food crops, to reproduce. Birds, rodents, monkeys and even people pollinate, but the most common pollinators are insects, and among them, bees.

There is the landmark 2019 report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) which notes, “Sacred passages about bees in all the worlds’ major religions highlight their significance to human societies over millennia.” And pollinators contribute directly to food security. According to bee experts at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, a third of the world’s food production depends on bees.

Bees at risk from pesticides, air pollution. But sadly, bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats and hummingbirds, are increasingly under threat from human activities. Bee populations have been declining globally over recent decades due to habitat loss, intensive farming practices, changes in weather patterns and the excessive use of agrochemicals such as pesticides. This in turn poses a threat to a variety of plants critical to human well-being and livelihoods.

IMPORTANCE OF HONEY BEES :

1. BIODIVERSITY PRESERVATION: Honey bees contribute significantly to biodiversity by pollinating wild plants. This, in turn, supports various animal species that depend on these plants for food and habitat, maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Honey bees widely contribute to the preservation of biodiversity. By pollinating a wide variety of plants, they help maintain diverse ecosystems and provide habitat and food sources for numerous other species, including birds, insects, and mammals. The presence of honey bees in an area often indicates a healthy and thriving ecosystem. As pollinators, they facilitate the reproduction of a vast majority of flowering plants, including many crops that humans rely on for food. It is estimated that one-third of the food we consume depends on pollination, primarily by bees. The contribution of wild honey bees and solitary bees to wild plants and the resultant ecosystem services is yet to be assessed clearly.

2. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY: In agriculture, The Honeybee is called as The Farmer’s Friend. Honey bees are essential for agriculture and food production. Bees enhance the yields of fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Their pollination services are estimated to be worth billions of dollars globally, underscoring their economic importance. They pollinate numerous crops, including fruits like apples, oranges, berries, and melons, as well as vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, and squash. Honey bee pollination increases crop yields, improves crop quality, and enhances the overall productivity of farms. Their contribution is crucial for global food security and maintaining a stable food supply. Hence, the Honeybee also called as The Farmer’s Friend. The honeybee plays a vital role in the pollination of flowering plants, including crops. After all, one-third of the food we eat depends upon pollination, including almonds, apples, berries, cucumbers and melons.

3. CLIMATE RESILIENCE: Healthy bee populations contribute to the resilience of ecosystems against climate change. By ensuring a diverse plant life, they help stabilize soil, regulate water cycles, and reduce the risk of natural disasters like floods and landslides. Bee pollination results in seeds that are resilient to emerging diseases and climatic changes.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS: Honey bees are excellent environmental indicators. Their behaviour and population health can reflect the quality of the environment, including the presence of pesticides, pollutants, and habitat loss. Monitoring honey bee populations can help identify and address environmental issues, protect other pollinators, and promote sustainable land management practices.

5. CONTRIBUTOR TO ECONOMY OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES: Honey bees are big money makers for U.S. agriculture. These social and hardworking insects produce six hive products – honey, pollen, royal jelly, beeswax, propolis, and venom – all collected and used by people for various nutritional and medicinal purposes. Honey, of course, is the most well-known and economically important hive product. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agriculture Statistics Service, honey bees made 157 million pounds of honey in 2019. With the cost of honey at $1.97 per pound, that’s a value of a little over $339 million. After honey, beeswax is the second most important hive product from an economic standpoint. The beeswax trade dates to ancient Greece and Rome, and in Medieval Europe, the substance was a unit of trade for taxes and other purposes. The market remains strong today. Beeswax is popular for making candles and as an ingredient in artists’ materials and in leather and wood polishes. 

6. PHARMACEUTICAL USES: The pharmaceutical industry uses the substance as a binding agent, time-release mechanism, and drug carrier. Beeswax is also one of the most commonly used waxes in cosmetics. The U.S. is a major producer of raw beeswax, as well as a worldwide supplier of refined beeswax. But the greatest importance of honey bees to agriculture isn’t a product of the hive at all. It’s their work as crop pollinators. This agricultural benefit of honey bees is estimated to be between 10 and 20 times the total value of honey and beeswax. In fact, bee pollination accounts for about $15 billion in added crop value. Honey bees are like flying dollar bills buzzing over U.S. crops. Unfortunately, a widespread bacterial disease called American foulbrood is destroying entire colonies of honey bees. But fortunately for the honey bees and the many crops that depend on them for pollination, FDA has approved three antibiotics to control this devastating honey bee disease.

THE ROLE OF FOREST CONSERVATION IN INDIA :

India's commitment to forest conservation is vital for sustaining its rich biodiversity and combating climate change. New forest laws have been instrumental in preserving green cover and fostering a culture of afforestation. 

1. NATIONAL POLICY ON FORESTS: The Government of India has implemented various policies aimed at increasing forest cover, enhancing biodiversity, and restoring degraded lands. The National Forest Policy emphasizes the need to increase the forest area to one-third of the total geographical area, which is essential for ecological balance. Are these policies taking into account that native trees should be used for greening spaces? National Forest Policy (NFP) 1988 envisages that 33% of the geographical area should be under forest or tree cover. Salient features are, Maintenance of environmental stability and restoration of ecological balance. Conservation of natural heritage. Whereas the vision of the National Forest Policy, 2016 is, "empowered communities, healthy ecosystems, happy nation". It aims to improve the health and vitality of the forest ecosystems to meet the present and future needs of ecological security, livelihood sustenance and conserving biological diversity. It endeavours to safeguard our natural heritage, cultural identity and social capital and bequeath it in full measure to our future generations. The National Forest Policy, 2016 marks a paradigm shift, by switching the focus from forests to landscapes, from canopy cover to healthy ecosystems, from substituting wood to promoting sustainable wood use, from participatory approaches to empowerment, from joint forest management to community forest management and from qualitative policy statements to a results based policy framework.  

2. AFFORESTATION INITIATIVES: Programs like the Green India Mission aim to enhance ecosystem services, improve biodiversity, and increase forest cover. These initiatives have led to the successful restoration of degraded forests, providing habitats for countless species, including honey bees.

3. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: New forest laws encourage community participation in forestry management. Local communities are empowered to take care of their forests, ensuring sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and local economies. Policy makers and policies many a times are forced on the local communities who are native to the region. These natives are seen as backward and policy makers end up empowering the local who are already with rich indigenous knowledge in wrong directions. A though must be given to first document their knowledge and then pass it on to the coming generations. It's like getting a PhD in Agriculture after researching for 4-5 years and then teaching farming to the farmer who had been learning for decades from their families and agriculture itself.

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY CITIZEN :

While government initiatives play a crucial role in environmental conservation, the responsibility to restore our mother nature lies with every citizen. 

1. PLANTING TREES: Individuals can contribute by planting native trees in their neighbourhoods, schools, and community spaces. Every tree planted helps combat climate change, improve air quality, and provide habitats for wildlife, including honey bees. “Increasing crop and regional farm diversity as well as targeted habitat conservation, management or restoration, is one way of combating climate change and promoting biodiversity,” says UN Environment Programme (UNEP) biodiversity specialist Marieta Sakalian. “Governments need to take the lead.”

2. EDUCATING OTHERS: By spreading awareness about the importance of bees and forests, citizens can inspire collective action. Educational programs can emphasize the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the role each individual plays in preserving them.

3. SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES: Embracing sustainable practices in daily life—such as reducing plastic use, conserving water, and supporting organic farming—can create a positive impact on local ecosystems.

4. PARTICIPATING IN LOCAL EFFORTS: Joining local environmental groups or participating in native tree-planting drives can amplify individual efforts. Community-based initiatives often have a more significant impact and foster a sense of collective responsibility.

HERE ARE SOME ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TO HELP PRESERVE BEES AND OTHER POLLINATORS :

1. Plant nectar-bearing flowers such as marigolds or sunflowers for decorative purposes on balconies, terraces, and gardens.

2. Buy honey and other hive products from your nearest local beekeeper.

3. Raise awareness among children and adolescents on the importance of bees and express your support for beekeepers.

4. Set up a pollinator farm on your balcony, terrace, or garden.

5. Preserve old meadows, which feature a more diverse array of flowers, and sow nectar-bearing plants.

6. Cut grass on meadows only after the nectar-bearing plants have finished blooming.

7. Use pesticides that do not harm bees, and spray them in windless weather, either early in the morning or late at night, when bees withdraw from blossoms

CONCLUSION :

The intertwined relationship between honey bees and forest ecosystems is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring food security. With the Indian government’s renewed focus on forest conservation and community involvement, there is a robust framework for restoring and enhancing green cover across the country. However, it is imperative for every citizen to recognize their role in this endeavour. By planting trees, educating ourselves and others, and adopting sustainable practices, we can collectively restore our environment and secure a healthier planet for future generations. Together, we can ensure that both honey bees and forests thrive, sustaining the delicate balance of our ecosystem. After all it’s the responsibility of every citizen to save the bees and thereby save the biodiversity of our planet Earth.

- SHRI. VISHAL VINAYA VIJAYRAO KALE B.S.L. LL.B., DLL. & L.W.

- SHRI. SWARUP SUNIL HENDRE B.Sc. LL.B.