New Bee Museum in Shivamogga Promotes Apiculture Education and Conservation

Apoorva BV, a Bengaluru-based beekeeper and educator, has established a unique Bee Museum at the Keladi Shivappa Nayaka Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences University in Shivamogga, Karnataka. Transitioning from an engineering student to a dedicated apiarist, Apoorva founded The Hive trust to promote bee conservation and education. The museum, created using remaining funds from the university's Tribal Sub-Plan scheme in collaboration with Professor Jayalaxmi Hegde, aims to educate farmers, students, and the general public about bee biology, colony hierarchy, and essential beekeeping equipment. It highlights the critical role of pollinators, including bees, wasps, and birds, in ecosystem functioning while addressing threats such as pesticide use, habitat loss, and changing agricultural practices. Apoorva emphasizes that beekeeping is a viable vocation and stresses the importance of treating domesticated bees well. The initiative seeks to boost local beekeeping capacity in surrounding areas like Sagar and Thirthahalli, offering insights into both solitary and social bee habitats. This project represents a significant step in raising awareness about environmental sustainability and the economic potential of apiculture in rural India.