Insect Pollinators’s Diversity in the Himalayan Region: Their Role in Agriculture and Sustainable Development

All living beings reproduce for the continuation and increase of their species. Plants reproduce asexually or sexually. The formation of offspring without involving the union of sperm and egg cell such as in rhizomes and tubers is asexual reproduction and is commonly referred to as vegetative reproduction, and fusion of male and female gametes leads to sexual reproduction. There are many agents that transfer pollen and bring about pollination. Our main concern is insect pollination and their biodiversity. There are varied groups of flowers visiting insects. They mainly belong to the order Coleoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera. All these flower visitors are not equally important pollinators of crops as all these insects have different foraging behaviour, pollination efficacy and floral fidelity. The advancements in agricultural and horticultural technologies have resulted into dwindling of wild insect pollinators. Extensive agriculture has resulted into clearing of wasteland. Mechanised agriculture leaves very little corners and field bunds. These have caused reduction in hibernating and nesting sites for insects especially wild one. Introduction of hybrid seeds has led to the disturbance between crop and pollinator relations. Also, tremendous use of chemical pesticides for the purpose of controlling pests/weeds destroys certain food sources of insect pollinators and seriously affects their population. Many insect pollinator species are getting killed and even have reached the stage of extinction due to synthetic pesticides. In this chapter, efforts are taken to compile information on major insect pollinators especially in the Himalayan region and their role in the Himalayan agriculture system and conservation strategies thereof.