Celebrate and value the honeybee
Namibia yesterday commemorated its first Bee Day in an effort to highlight the critical role honey bees play in human food supply.
“This day should be used by all to celebrate and honour the honeybee, which is one of the most valuable animals in the country. People should be aware of their importance, and learn to value them just as much as other animals and insects,” said Roland zu Bentheim of Imkerei Bentheim, who has staunchly fought for increased awareness of honeybees in Namibia.
Zu Bentheim explains that honeybees pollinate up to 80% of all plants in the world, and are an essential ingredient to agriculture.
“Without bees, we will, for instance, have no more apples.”
Today, one beehive is worth a minimum of N$50 000, which zu Bentheim says indicates the value of bees not only to agriculture and nature in general, but to the economy. Unfortunately, honeybees face increasing threats to survival, in Namibia and globally.
Among other concerns, the destruction of beehives is widespread in Namibia, either by poisoning the bees or by burning the hives to get at the honey.
Zu Bentheim advocates for the humane and safe removal of hives, during which bees are removed and placed in safe havens where they can conduct their important work without disruption.
Zu Bentheim has been a professional beekeeper, and an outspoken conservationist on behalf of this critical species, for close to two decades.
They are essential
The United Nations in May during the global World Bee Day, explained that bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats and hummingbirds, are increasingly under threat from human activities.
Pollinators allow many plants, including food crops, to reproduce.
Not only do pollinators contribute directly to food security, but they are crucial to conserving biodiversity - a cornerstone of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
They also serve as sentinels for emergent environmental risks, signalling the health of local ecosystems.
Invasive insects, pesticides, land-use change and monocropping practices may reduce available nutrients and pose threats to bee colonies.
To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the UN designated 20 May as World Bee Day.
In Namibia, Zu Bentheim's services are available to anyone who needs a bee colony humanely and safely removed. He can be reached at 081 635 7323.
JANA-MARI SMITH
“This day should be used by all to celebrate and honour the honeybee, which is one of the most valuable animals in the country. People should be aware of their importance, and learn to value them just as much as other animals and insects,” said Roland zu Bentheim of Imkerei Bentheim, who has staunchly fought for increased awareness of honeybees in Namibia.
Zu Bentheim explains that honeybees pollinate up to 80% of all plants in the world, and are an essential ingredient to agriculture.
“Without bees, we will, for instance, have no more apples.”
Today, one beehive is worth a minimum of N$50 000, which zu Bentheim says indicates the value of bees not only to agriculture and nature in general, but to the economy. Unfortunately, honeybees face increasing threats to survival, in Namibia and globally.
Among other concerns, the destruction of beehives is widespread in Namibia, either by poisoning the bees or by burning the hives to get at the honey.
Zu Bentheim advocates for the humane and safe removal of hives, during which bees are removed and placed in safe havens where they can conduct their important work without disruption.
Zu Bentheim has been a professional beekeeper, and an outspoken conservationist on behalf of this critical species, for close to two decades.
They are essential
The United Nations in May during the global World Bee Day, explained that bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats and hummingbirds, are increasingly under threat from human activities.
Pollinators allow many plants, including food crops, to reproduce.
Not only do pollinators contribute directly to food security, but they are crucial to conserving biodiversity - a cornerstone of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
They also serve as sentinels for emergent environmental risks, signalling the health of local ecosystems.
Invasive insects, pesticides, land-use change and monocropping practices may reduce available nutrients and pose threats to bee colonies.
To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the UN designated 20 May as World Bee Day.
In Namibia, Zu Bentheim's services are available to anyone who needs a bee colony humanely and safely removed. He can be reached at 081 635 7323.
JANA-MARI SMITH
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