Dear Editor,
Diverse species of insect pollinators around the globe including honeybees, naïve bees, moths, butterflies, some specialized species of beetles and flies are showing a trend of sharp decline in their numbers due to numerous anthropogenic factors like over application of agri-chemicals, industrial pollution, Global Warming and Climate Change, parasitic diseases of bees, colony collapse disorder, lack of suitable nectar foraging plants and habitats to mention only a few. Pollinator insects are essential for agriculture, apiculture and forestry industries and for securing the dynamics of our ecology and economy. Conservation of insect pollinators is therefore important from the perspective of food security as they are responsible for pollinating over 70% of food crops around the planet. Hence we have the future in our hands to protect the insect pollinators like bees today; to secure our future for tomorrow. There is an important issue that deserved serious attention and strong support to secure the future of both our ecology and economics together. We must realize that loss of key insect pollinators means significant loss to the stability of our natural ecosystems, agricultural, horticultural and apicultural productivity. We need to connect our local communities to this grave ecological crisis facing our farmer-friendly, natural insect pollinators. We need to educate the public; more importantly our younger generations to the importance of conservation of the highly endangered insect pollinators. Often important research articles published in prestigious science journals and magazines escape the attention of ordinary citizens. It is also important to explain to the public the importance and challenges pollinator conservation in non-technical terms; and in as simple language as possible to spread the urgent message. Hence both print and electronic media can serve as excellent outlets to reach potential stakeholders; who could play significant roles in the efforts towards successful conservation of insect pollinators.
Yours,
Saikat Kumar Basu,
Canada