Bilnepalpara: The village of Bilnepalpara in Paba upazila has been officially recognized as a pollinator-friendly area for bees, in an effort to safeguard pollination, biodiversity, and agro-ecology. This declaration was made during a program organized by the Bilnepalpara Women's Organization on the occasion of "World Bee Day".
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, bees and other pollinators play a crucial role in boosting agricultural production, ensuring plant reproduction, conserving biodiversity, stabilizing food systems, and maintaining environmental balance. However, their populations have been declining rapidly due to agricultural chemicalization and the loss of natural habitats. The declaration aims to address this issue by creating a safe environment for bees.
The initiative is a collaborative effort by local farmers, both men and women, as well as residents, who have pledged not to use chemical fertilizers or pesticides in the area. They urge other regions in Bangladesh to follow suit and protect pollinators. The call for government action to halt pesticide use nationwide and promote agro-ecological practices was also made during the event.
The program was organized by the Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK), Barendra Youth Forum, and the Bilnepalpara Women's Organization, and was attended by farmers, elderly residents, youth, students, and professionals from Bilnepalpara.
Touhidul Islam, BARCIK Associate Programme Officer, conducted the event, while Atikur Rahman Atik, president of Barendra Youth Forum, highlighted the importance of bees, noting that over 20,000 species are documented worldwide, with many more likely undiscovered. The indiscriminate use of pesticides, especially during flowering and daytime, poses a significant threat to these pollinators.
Farmers shared their experiences with the ecological shifts in the area. Golapjan Begum, 62, recalled the abundance of bees and other insects in the past and noted the current reliance on pesticides for crops like pointed gourd and rice. Abdus Salam, 60, echoed concerns about the decline in insect populations due to pesticide use, which has adversely affected crop yields.
Salam emphasized the need for government initiatives to promote organic pest control and natural farming, suggesting that farmers should receive incentives and support to transition. Sultana Khatun highlighted their ongoing agroecological practices and the presence of an agroecology learning center and community seed bank in the area. She criticized multinational companies for producing chemicals that have led to a silent pollination crisis.