Amazonian Stingless Bees- World’s First Insects with Legal Rights

1 JANUARY 2026

Amazonian stingless bees have become the first insect in the world to be granted legal rights, after two municipalities — Satipo and Nauta — in Peru passed such an ordinance.
The move is expected to help conserve the native stingless pollinators of the Amazon rainforest, which are the oldest bee species on the planet.
They are responsible for pollinating over 80% of Amazonian flora.
In recent years, the insect has been facing threats from climate change, forest fires, and deforestation.
The traditional practice of breeding and rearing stingless bees for honey and medicinal use is known as ‘meliponiculture’, widely followed by Indigenous communities in tropical regions.
Their honey is used as traditional Indigenous medicine, popularly known as the “miracle liquid,” and has proven anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties, including use in treating eye ailments such as cataracts.
Since stingless bees cannot speak in court, human ‘guardians’, such as Indigenous leaders or experts, can represent them and sue polluters on their behalf.

Recognition of Nature as a Rights Holder in India

Animal Welfare Board of India vs. A. Nagaraja (2014): In this judgment, the Supreme Court interpreted the word ‘life’ under Article 21 expansively to include the protection of animal life.
Mohd. Salim vs State of Uttarakhand (2017): The Uttarakhand High Court granted legal personhood to the rivers Ganga and Yamuna, declaring them as living entities with legal rights and duties, inspired by New Zealand’s Whanganui River case; however, this decision was later stayed by the Supreme Court, putting the legal personhood status on hold.