By S.M. Osman Gani Sohag, from Shyamnagar

A vibrant discussion meeting was held at Burigoalini Union in Shyamnagar Upazila, Satkhira, on the occasion of World Bee Day 2025 organized by  the Sundarban Student Solidarity Team, Sabuj Samhati, and the Forestry Women Development organization, with support from BARCIK.

. The event saw enthusiastic participation from beekeepers, women, youth, children, housewives, environmental activists, and social workers.

Held at 4 PM on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Burigoalini, the program received an overwhelming response from the local community. The discussion was chaired by Shefali Bibi, President of the Forestry Women Development Organization.

Moderated by BARCIK Program Officer Biswajit Mondal, the speakers highlighted the ecological significance of bees, especially their roles in honey production and pollination. Beekeeping and honey collection are traditional livelihoods in the Sundarbans-adjacent region. The speakers emphasized the need to adopt modern beekeeping techniques and promote greater environmental awareness.

Beekeepers shared their experiences, along with the challenges and opportunities they face. Ramkrishna Joardar, Associate Regional Coordinator of BARCIK, mentioned that more women and housewives in coastal areas are now showing interest in beekeeping as a source of family income. To engage the younger generation, he proposed organizing training programs with active youth participation.

Local forester Md. Safed Ali focused on the importance of bees in maintaining the ecological balance of the Sundarbans. He called for a halt to indiscriminate deforestation and pesticide use, stating that sustainable beekeeping could positively impact the rural economy.

Notable participants in the discussion included Bidhan Madhu of BARCIK, Maruf Hossain Milon, Champa Mallick, Abul Kalam Azad, Barsha Gain, Monica Paik, Pratima Chakraborty, youth organizer S.M. Osman Gani Sohag, and Upazila Youth Volunteer Coordination Committee member Md. Shamim Hossain.

Following the discussion, participants held up placards pledging to work collectively to conserve bees and protect the environment. They also called for government support for beekeepers, an official registry of genuine beekeepers, a ban on entering the Sundarbans with toxic bait, and strict penalties for those harming nature. The event is expected to further deepen public affection and awareness for bees and their preservation.

It is to be mentioned that World Bee Day is celebrated annually to raise public awareness about the crucial role of bees and other pollinators.