PESHAWAR: A rally was organised from Pak International Honey Market in Jhagra area to GT Road here to mark the World Bee Day. The participants, including beekeepers and exporters, said the event was meant to create awareness among the people about the significance of honey and its business.

The rally was organised by All Pakistan Beekeepers, Exporters and Honey Traders Association.

According to a statement, the association’s president Salim Khan, senior vice-president Sheikh Gul Badshah, general secretary Sherzaman, Mohammad Younis Khan, entomologist of Agricultural Research Institute, Tarnab Farm, shopkeepers and beekeepers participated in the rally.

The participants highlighted the importance of bees and their positive effect on crops. They said that the World Bee Day was celebrated with the sole motive to acknowledge the role of bees and other pollinators for the ecosystem. They said the government should ensure bee-friendly and clean environment.

They suggested the forest cutting should be stopped and new trees be planted so that the life of bees could be saved.

They said celebrating the day was to make the common people aware of the benefits of beekeeping. They pointed out that the main causes posing threats to bees included deforestation, toxic pesticides on crops, super environmental pollution and global warming.

The participants demanded that honey industry should be included in the CPEC project and new markets should be sought for export of honey to improve the lives of growers and strengthen national economy. They also urged the bee producers to take good care of their bees.

They asked the people to keep environment clean by planting saplings to provide safe havens to bees.

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2024