By Shahidul Islam from Rajshahi

The population of pollinators is rapidly declining due to excessive use of pesticides in crops and fruit trees, continued use of banned chemicals, reduction of native trees, and climate change. This decline is increasing farming costs and pest attacks on crops.

On the occasion of World Bee Day today (20 May 2025), a farmers’ human chain was organized at Bargachhi Bazar in Paba Upazila, Rajshahi by Green Coalition and BARCIK demanding the protection of pollinators. Farmers demanded a ban on banned pesticides and a national policy for pollinator protection.

Rahima Begum, coordinator of Green Coalition, said, “We don’t even know what damage these chemicals do until it is too late. These poisons are harming both our lives and biodiversity.”

Abdul Jabbar Mia, president of Bargachhi Krishak Oikko, said, “We can’t even stay at home due to the smell of pesticides. We have learned to use poisons on crops, but not how to protect the environment. We use some organic methods, but more government support is needed.”

Md. Jewel Ahmed, president of the Barnai Folk Literature Council, said, “Pesticides are destroying everything. Pollinators are disappearing, and we need a proper policy to prevent this.”

BARCIK researcher and regional coordinator Shahidul Islam, who presented the keynote, said, “Research shows that 75% of global crops depend on pollination. Due to pesticides and nature-destructive activities including climate change, pollinators are disappearing, posing a threat to human civilization.” He cited a 2016 UN report stating that over 40% of invertebrate pollinators, especially bees and butterflies, are at risk of extinction.

He emphasized the urgency of enacting a national pollinator protection policy in Bangladesh and raising awareness among farmers and communities to address the threats posed by pesticide use.

Three key demands were raised at the human chain which included: formulation of an effective national policy for pollinator protection, clear inclusion of pollinator protection in all environmental laws of Bangladesh and government-led initiatives to raise awareness and implement pollinator conservation programs.