University authorities, citing student safety, have ordered the removal of 83 beehives on campus. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The recent mass killing of bees in hives at the Government Medical College campus in Chikkamagaluru has drawn strong criticism from environmentalists.
University authorities, citing student safety, have ordered the removal of 83 beehives on campus. A team was hired to carry out the operation and paid ₹1,000 for each hive removed. It is suspected that they used chemicals, which led to the death of bees in large numbers.
Nagaraj Koove, an environmentalist representing the Biodiversity, Environment and Agriculture Study Centre, wrote to the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Chikkamagaluru division, demanding action against those responsible for the incident. He argued that the college could have avoided this risk by installing netting over the windows to prevent bees from entering classrooms or dormitories.
“The college is located in an area that was formerly forested. Bees rarely attack humans unless provoked. Moreover, bees play a key role in pollination without which Chikkamagaluru coffee cultivation would suffer. The college authorities should have considered alternative methods to minimize the harm to the bees,” he said.
When The Hindu contacted Ramesh Babu, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Chikkamagaluru division, the officer confirmed receiving complaints of bee deaths. “Our police officers are gathering information about an incident that happened in a public place where students stay and where patients visit. The institution was forced to act in the interest of campus security. If this had happened in a forest area, we would have registered the case immediately. We are currently gathering information,” he said.
Published – 22 Nov 2025 18:44 IST
