Bees are starving. Pesticides, climate change And intensive agriculture These precious pollinating insects are decimating, fundamental for biodiversity and food production. But in Veneto something is changing: The abandoned quarries are transformed into sanctuaries for bees thanks to the project “Cave friendly of the bees“.
A revolutionary idea: quarries that become refuges for pollinators
The project was born from the collaboration between theRegister of the quarrymen of the Veneto and theRegional Association of the beekeepers of the Venetowith the patronage of the Regional Council. The goal? Give new life to the abandoned quarries, transforming them into safe areas for bees through the planting of melliphere essences and the creation of didactic apiaries.
The idea is innovative and at the same time strategic: the quarries, once exhausted, They can be converted into pesticide -free environmentsideal for pollinators. Areas that, left to rest for years, become uncontaminated habitats, far from intensive agricultural practices.
The bees: sentinels of biodiversity
The domestic and wild bees, it is good to remember, are responsible for the 70% of the pollination of living plant species And guarantee 35% of global food production. Their survival is linked to our own food safety.
“Today the main problem is that bees are dying of hunger,” he explained Gerardo Meridiopresident of the beekeepers of Veneto. “Monocultures, the loss of habitats and climate change reduce food resources for these insects. The quarries can become real biodiversity tanksoffering diversified blooms throughout the year “.
Cave and sustainability: a new replicable model
The quarries are not only extraction sites, but can become sustainability engines. Marco Vaccaripresident of the Cavatori del Veneto Register, underlines the importance of this project: “We demonstrate how our sector can actively contribute to the protection of the environment. We transform the cave into poles of biodiversitythrough targeted interventions that bring concrete benefits for the community “.
The unique initiative in Italy could become a replicable model. “In other regions of Europe, similar projects are already being experienced. Scientific studies show that quarries can host a surprising number of species of wild bees, some of which are extinction“.
From theory to practice: how the quarries become oasis for bees
The project provides for several implementation phases:
Veneto has launched a model: will it be followed by the other Italian regions?
