Around 32 enthusiastic participants gathered in the middle of summer, on 18th May for an engaging beekeeping workshop. Fortunately, the night before, rainfall blessed us with cooler weather, creating a pleasant environment for the day’s activities.

Our instructor, Lazer Jean—an expert with over seven years of bee research—led the session. He began by introducing us to bees and emphasizing their critical role in our ecosystem. Did you know that approximately 75% of the food we consume is pollinated by bees? Their declining populations threaten our food security, making this knowledge all the more dangerous.

Lazer introduced to us various types of bee boxes used for rearing Apis cerana, the most commonly kept honey-producing species. He highlighted the importance of providing natural habitats for bees, pointing out how deforestation for development is endangering their existence. A simple yet effective solution he suggested was placing earthen pots on trees—these cool, dark containers serve as inexpensive nesting sites for bees.

Next, Lazer discussed stingless bees, small and harmless creatures capable of visiting 4 to 10 flowers per minute. Though they produce only small quantities of honey, it’s highly medicinal, and their gentle nature makes them suitable for urban beekeeping, even in schools for familiarizing children with bees.

The highlight of the workshop was when Lazer opened the bee boxes to reveal the hive's inner workings. We observed fresh, white wax combs, and learned about the different castes: the drone bees, which are smaller and primarily responsible for mating with the queen. We saw the queen herself—larger and plumper, she was protected by worker bees who formed a protective ball around her, removing her from plain sight. Seeing this firsthand was truly fascinating.

The session concluded with the distribution of bee-friendly indigenous plants—easy-to-grow varieties that require minimal care. The message was clear: by planting these plants on our terraces and balconies, especially in urban settings, we can create a supportive environment for bees and contribute to their conservation.