India’s wild bee population is facing an unprecedented crisis that threatens the very foundation of our ecosystem. While we focus on planting trees, we’re inadvertently destroying the creatures that make forests possible—wild bees.
Of the four main wild bee species found in Indian forests, three are now on the brink of extinction. Climate change has disrupted their survival conditions, with drought and irregular flowering patterns creating food scarcity. Deforestation and widespread pesticide use in agricultural areas near forests have turned toxic for these vital pollinators.
Research by Dr. U.S. Sharma from Hands Around Nature and Society, Bhopal, reveals alarming population declines in Madhya Pradesh’s forests. The impact extends beyond ecology—tribal communities dependent on honey collection for their livelihood are suffering as bee numbers dwindle.
The crisis demands immediate action: banning dangerous pesticides near forest villages, training rural communities in sustainable honey extraction methods, and adopting a broader biodiversity conservation approach. Unlike global efforts to save native bee species, India lacks adequate focus on this critical issue.
Environmental protection cannot be limited to tree plantation alone. We must recognise every creature’s ecological importance and halt human activities that threaten their existence. The survival of wild honey bees directly impacts our own—without them, neither forests nor food security can survive.
Support us to keep independent environmental journalism alive in India.
MoreVideo Reports
Kanh Close Duct: MP Diverts Polluted River Ahead of 2028 Kumbh Mela
From Waste to ₹Lakhs Profit, Growing Plastic Recycling in Madhya Pradesh
Stay connected with Ground Report for underreported environmental stories.
Follow us onX, Instagram, and Facebook; share your thoughts at greport2018@gmail.com; subscribe to our weekly newsletter for deep dives from the margins; join our WhatsApp community for real-time updates; and catch our video reports on YouTube.
Your support amplifies voices too often overlooked—thank you for being part of the movement.
