AND INDIGENOUS HONEYBEES
by Faroog Ahmed and the Project Team ICIMOD, Nepal
Poverty and fragility are two major constraints to development in the Hindu Kush Himalayas
(HKH). Indigenous honeybees can play
a very important role in addressing both issues; they pollinate important mountain crops and, at the
same time, produce high value bee products. The indigenous honeybees include Apis dorsata,
fx
Apis florea and Apis laboriosa, (whose products
wt
are collected, but these bees cannot be kept
it
in hives); and the native species Apis cerana, which is traditionally used in beekeeping.
The HKH region is also home to many species of stingless bees, bumble bees, and solitary
We hope that we will see:
bees. Traditionally bees have been kept for the
harvest the benefits of the Himalayan honeybees, we first need to properly understand
production of honey and other bee products. But as farmers turn more towards cash crops,
their important role in conserving biodiversity and increasing farm productivity. The aim of
Apis cerana as an income-generating
especially fruit and vegetables, there is an increasing recognition of their important role
the ICIMOD programme is to develop a better
increased income for communities involved
understanding of these issues through documenting information and through
in beekeeping and honey hunting;
in pollination.
Apis cerana is part of the natural heritage of mountain communities. However this bee is not always welcomed by commercial beekeepers and farmers, particularly in certain areas of the
HKH, because of its lower honey yield and more difficult behaviour. Here, as in many regions of the world, survival of the native species is threatened by Apis mellifera, which has been introduced on a large scale. But Apis cerana offers potential benefits that are still not always recognised by farmers and development workers.
In order to ‘
participatory action research. Beekeeping primarily benefits the landless and marginalised farmers
who have limited options to support their livelinoods. Thus beekeeping is an important
component in ICIMOD's approach to promoting the development of an economically and environmentally sound mountain ecosystem, and improving the living standards of mountain people.
The full project title is ‘Indigenous Honeybees of the Himalayas: a Community-based Approach
for Conserving Biodiversity and Increasing Farm
an increase in the number of farmers raising
activity;
increased farm income through pollination services; and a strengthened institutional capacity
of bee-related organisations in the
HKH region. The programme involves detailed documentation, action research, training, and extension through
collaborative mechanisms with local and regional partners (in Bhutan, China, India, Pakistan, as well as in Nepal). We are particularly concerned that we maintain a gender-balanced
and community-based participatory approach. In the next issue of B&D we will be telling you more about these activities.
Productivity’. The major aim of the project is to promote sustainable management of
Apis cerana, and of other indigenous honeybees that can be adopted by the communities in the HKH region, as a contribution towards the conservation of biodiversity, improvement of farm productivity, and increase in farm income.
Our main activities are concerned with:
ICIMOD is the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, an international organisation devoted to the development of the Hindu Kush Himalayas region. ICIMOD is located in Kathmandu, Nepal. Read more about ICIMOD at
www. icimod.org.np
Apis cerana selection and management;
Apis cerana has an essential role to play
integration of pollination in farming systems;
in
indigenous honeybees and honey hunting
development in these remote areas in terms of pollination. Studies have shown that there are
communities;
many different sub-species and locally adapted ecotypes, some of which may offer clear
building; and
commercial and/or environmental advantages.
training, extension, networking, and capacity
&
marketing and micro-enterprise development.
See Bookshelf page 14 for details of ICIMOD publications Beekeeping & Development 58
