A medical college in Chikkamagaluru removed 83 bee hives for safety, leading to mass bee deaths. Environmentalists criticize the decision and demand accountability.

In Chikkamagaluru, a government medical college has faced backlash after removing 83 bee hives from its campus, claiming it was necessary for student safety. Environmentalists suspect that chemicals were used in the removal process, resulting in a significant number of bee deaths. Nagaraj Koove, an environmentalist, has filed a complaint with the local Forest Department, suggesting that the college could have opted for safer alternatives, such as installing meshes to keep bees out of buildings. He emphasized the importance of bees in pollination, particularly for the region's coffee cultivation. The Deputy Conservator of Forests confirmed that they are investigating the incident, noting that the college's actions were taken in a public safety context.