Project Insect Refugees
The Insect Refugees initiative is dedicated to safeguarding insects, countering their rapid decline in both numbers and diversity and preventing the extinction of vital species. It strives to create chemical-free sanctuaries throughout the country.
The Challenge
- Diverse Threats: Insects face numerous threats, including climate change, urbanization, habitat destruction, deforestation, light pollution, invasive species, and pesticide use.
- Rapid Decline: The insect world is experiencing an alarming annual loss of 1 to 2 percent in species and populations, potentially resulting in a 20% decline in global insect populations within a decade.
- Lack of Data: Comprehensive insect surveys are lacking in India, hindering our understanding of the extent of the crisis.
- Lack of Prioritization: Insect conservation has not received the priority it deserves, with potentially disastrous consequences for ecosystems and ecosystem services.
The Solution
- Urgent Action: Speedy action is essential due to the direct implications of insect loss on food security in an agricultural country like India.
- Data Archive: Creation of an information archive on insect status and the consequences of their decline in the country.
- Insect Havens: Establishment of nationwide sanctuaries for insects, providing safe havens for their conservation.
- Chemical-Free Farming: Development of a network of chemical-free horticultural farms to support insect populations and biodiversity.
The Benefits
- Biodiversity Protection: Protection of insect biodiversity and populations, ensuring their role in maintaining ecosystem health.
- Enhanced Pollination: Increased pollination services, benefiting agriculture and food security.
- Biological Control: Insects contribute to biological pest control, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
- Food Provision: Insects are a food source, supporting both human and wildlife diets.
- Organic Matter Recycling: Insects play a crucial role in recycling organic matter, contributing to nutrient cycling.
- Valuable Products: Insects produce products such as honey, silk, lac, medicines, and food.
- Ecosystem Services: Overall, insects provide crucial ecosystem services that benefit natural environments and human societies.
