Land clearing affecting bee population

President of the Antigua and Barbuda Beekeepers’ Cooperative, Brent Georges is reminding the public that land clearing, while seemingly harmless, can have terrible effects.
Georges says continued clearing of forested and some bushy areas is one of the challenges to the resurgence of the bee population in Antigua and Barbuda. Bees are flying insects known for their role in pollination and for producing honey. Around the world, bee populations are in severe decline.
Georges explains that in Antigua and Barbuda, many of the trees removed when forested areas are cleared served as bee habitat and as a source of food. As he’s encouraging people to seek the advice of the forestry division before clearing land.


President of the Antigua and Barbuda Beekeepers’ Cooperative, Brent Georges. He says the death of hundreds of coconuts trees due to lethal yellowing has also majorly impacted the bee population as the coconut plant bore all year round and was plentiful.
In the coconut plant nectar comes from the sweet sap from the thick stalks or stems of the flowering coconut blossom.
 

President of the Antigua and Barbuda Beekeepers’ Cooperative, Brent Georges speaking on OBSERVER radio on Saturday.