Why is it necessary to protect hornets?

KATHMANDU, Sept 23: Hornets play a vital role in pollination and maintaining environmental balance, despite their venomous sting. 

However, they are increasingly vulnerable to human activity, as their grubs are hunted for consumption due to their nutritional value. Recently, many hotels and restaurants have begun using hornets as unique ingredients to make dishes. 

Harvesting hornets has been a source of income for some people. In villages, hunting hornets is glorified as a courageous act. The hornet hunting in the forest is carried out by putting one's life at risk. 

People with knowledge of the significance of this insect to the ecosystem have expressed concerns over hornet hunting growing unusually. The insect is considered a natural cleaner which prevents diseases. They have called for its conservation. 

Tribhuvan University (TU) Central Department of Botany's lecturer Dr Indra Prasad Subedi said insects like hornets and wasps belong to the 'bee family' and have contributed to the prevention of vector-borne diseases in plants. It is important to make the public aware of its conservation, he said. 

These insects may become extinct if the haphazard hunting goes unchecked. He said the insect stings humans when it feels threatened. Its sting may cause death and the general perception of the insect is negative. It turns aggressive if there is any encroachment on its habitat or it is poked.  

"It is defensive when it feels insecure and this is the nature of animals in general as well as insects.  The act of chasing away the insect by setting its hive on fire is not ecologically recommended," he said. 

Forest Division Office, Kaski's Chief Komal Raj Kafle viewed that it is against the law to kill any animal and insect (sans permission). Such an act is punishable by the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act- 2029 BS.

He said discussions have been launched among authorities concerned in the district following revelation that hotels in Myagdi have started serving hornet dishes. Initially, the authorities have decided to create awareness among the people instead of going for legal action. 

The office has put up boards at different parts to make people aware of the ecological loss from the haphazard hornet hunting and legal provisions related to this. 

The insect plays a significant role in pollination as it inhabits tall trees and high cliffs that are unreachable for bees. It has a high resistive capacity. The hornets make hives in tall trees, and cliffs and prefer inhabitation in mango and pear trees.  It plays a major role in pollination. 

In some countries including China, hornet farming in the domestic setting has been carried out.

The roles of insects are important in environmental conservation, the ecological cycle and the production of food.   

Normally, hornets in a single hive eat up over 3,000 mosquitoes and harmful insects, and contribute to keeping the natural balance. In the absence of pollination, plants do not bear fruits.  He urged the people to refrain from encroaching on the habitats of the hornet and tinkering it, as its sting is fatal. 

A medical study shows that 25 percent of injuries from the hornet sting are fatal. It leaves venom in the human body through sting, according to Kafle. 

There are 11 species of hornets found in Nepal. A central member of the Federation of Community Forest Users' Group, Prem Lamichhane, said hornet hives are less visible in forests these days.  Eating roasted hornets is a traditional food culture in some areas. But small things matter in the prevention of the environment and the ecological cycle.