May 20: World Bee Day

Every year May 20 is being celebrated as World Bee Day by the United Nations. The official celebrations began in 2018.

Highlights

The World Bee Day is celebrated to commemorate the birthday of Slovenian apiculture pioneer Anton Jansa. This year, the World Bee Day is celebrated under the theme.

Theme: Save the Bees

The day is being celebrated to raise awareness about the importance of pollinators, hummingbirds, butterflies, bats.

The Convention on Biological Diversity focuses on conserving these pollinators as well. In 2000, the International Pollinator Initiative was launched at the COP (Conference of Parties) V. The initiative focuses on the sustainability of pollinators in agriculture.

Significance

Bees are the greatest pollinators. They are under great threats currently due to habitat loss, parasites, diseases and agricultural pesticides. According to United Nations, around 35% of world agriculture still depend on pollinators.

International Pollinator Initiative

The International Pollinator Initiative mainly aims to promote coordinated world wide action. It was launched under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The initiative is to run till 2030. India is also a part of the initiative.

The Convention on Biological Diversity is a multilateral treaty. It was opened at the Earth Summit that was held in Rio de Janerio in 1992.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2020