Bee attacks on the rise: Removing nests not the answer
A number of recent Bambara bees ( the Giant Honeybee of Asia) attacks have been reported from various parts of the country and an expert has warned of short sighted clearing up operations that could be harmful ecologically.
The latest incident was on Wednesday, Vesak Poya day, where 70 people including children who were observing sil in Mundalama, Puttalam, were attacked by a swarm of bees.
Some children had reportedly thrown a stone at a nest which provoked an attack by the bees. Those who tried to rescue the people from being stung also came under attack.
On Tuesday three people including a teacher were admit- ted to Kantale Base hospital following an attack.
Meanwhile in Hatton and Kandy steps were also taken to remove the bambara nests ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Hill Country on Friday fearing that the sudden airstream from the helicopter rotors would make the bees aggressive.
The Sri Lanka Bee Protection Organisation that was involved in removing the nests under the supervision of the Nallathanniya Wildlife Office said the operation was a success. The organisation's secretary Thissa Bandara Thambawita said they had removed about two nests from the President's House in Kandy, two from two grounds in Norwood ( one where the Indian Premier Narendra was due to make an address, the other where the helicopters were landing) and one from Dickoya Hospital which was opened by the Indian Premier.
Earlier in the week nests had been cleared from ' General's House', Parliamentarians holiday home in Nuwara Eliya, he said.
Mr. Thambawita noted that the human- bee conflict was on the increase due to the depletion of forest cover, adding that the insects were important to maintain the biodiversity and the natural equilibrium.
He emphasised that the organisation removed bees nests in an environmental-friendly manner.
However, Dr. Wasantha Punchihewa, an expert in the field and a consultant to government agencies regarding polination and honey bees, said, many who are engaged in clearing up bees nests end up destroying the insects.
He said the Bambara or Giant Honeybee of Asia, is the most versatile pollinator in Sri Lanka.
He stressed that bees never attack humans unless they are crushed or provoked.
“They are innocent. and are the most important pollinators in the country. They migrate from the cloud forests in our high mountain peaks (Pindurutalagala, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains etc) to Sea coasts and the lowland plains annually on a regular migrating cycle following a regular path bringing about effective pollination of thousands of species of plants that importantly protect our land mass and provide food for thousands of species of animals including humans.”
Dr Punchihewa said that he is doubtful whether the airstream from the helicopters would affect Bambara nests as the helicopetrs fly keeping a safe distance from trees and buildings. He also said at least one month is needed to safely relocate bees from their original nesting sites.
“But what people do is destroy these nests. They are abusing these opportunities to make money. Relocation and destructive removal methods are two different things," he charged.
He also added that there is no relation between bee attacks and noise. “There are many Bambara nesting sites in various parts in the island including at the Dalada Maligawa where hundreds of devotees daily visit but no attack has been reported," he said.