As much as a 20 per cent decline has been reported in the population of the wild Apis dorsata over the past 10 years, according to B G Srivastava, former head of entomology, Indian Agriculture Research Institute (iari). Honey production from the wild dipped from 27,000 tonnes in 1991-92 to 18,000 tonnes in 1994-95. These figures are all the more alarming since wild varieties of bees account for around three times the honey produced by apiaries, as per a report of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission which falls under the Union ministry of small-scale industries and agro and rural industries.
Apart from the preference for the exotic variety, drastic changes in habitat have also affected wild bees. The sharp decrease in trees has literally driven them up the wall, forcing them to dwell atop tall buildings in cities, says Mishra.
Experts from agricultural universities point out that the dwindling colonies of wild bees pose a serious threat to the country's biodiversity. "Since wild varieties cannot be domesticated, we need to take other measures to improve their numbers," says Srivastava. He reveals that up to 98 per cent of wild honey is extracted by employing a crude method, wherein the entire honeycomb is milked dry after the bees have been smoked out. This method does not just destroy the hive and the colony, it also kills bees.
Misty conditions in north India during winters have resulted in a plunge in the population of Apis dorsata , avers A Nath, head of the entomology and apiculture department, University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The severe drought this year has taken its toll on bees in Haryana, he adds. Agriculture University, Hissar, scientist S K Sharma attributes the trend to the absence of forage yielding plants.
Other reasons for the decrease in pollinator population of rock or wild bees could be forest fires, population pressure on land and also harassment of traditional honey gatherers by the forest department, says Nath and adds: "There are no defined areas where hunters can cultivate bees."
Pests striking wild hives are another major problem. Here, too, Apis mellifera is to blame (at least partially). Though Tropilaelaps clareae is a parasite of Apis dorsata , yet it has found breeding grounds in the swarms of Apis mellifera . Stationary colonies of mellifera in the nesting areas of dorsata keep inoculating them, even as migratory colonies of the foreign species spread the mite.
Then there is Varroa jocobsoni -- an ectoparasitic mite. It has been reported to cause 57.2 per cent loss in pollen collection, 46.3 per cent shortfall in brood rearing and 66.7 per cent deficit in honey yield.
Indiscriminate use of insecticides and pesticides during the bloom period also kills bees. This has proved an impediment for several orchard owners in Himachal Pradesh using domesticated bees for pollination in place of natural pollinators.
Scientists suggest a holistic route to revive the flagging indigenous honeybee population.
Among the steps recommended is imparting training to traditional bee hunters. The Union ministry of agriculture has earmarked funds to educate self-help groups on how to extract honey without harming the honeycomb, says Baldev Singh of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, which comes under the Union ministry of agriculture
Awareness about the need to protect beehives from insecticide spraying is another area that needs to be focused on, points out Nath. Timing the sprays -- determining "safe hours" which would not overlap foraging hours -- is crucial
The beekeeping industry has been destabilised by tsbv. Timely diagnosis and treatment are essential to minimise the adverse effect of such diseases
Some colonies of Apis cerana have escaped tsbv. They can be used to multiply the local stock, says Mishra
Participants at the Asian Apiculture Association Conference, held a few months back in Bangalore, were unanimous in recognising the significance of protecting indigenous species. "We have a potential of 73 million colonies as against the current six million," the experts stated. These observations should be acted on to ensure that apiaries as well as forests are buzzing with local honeybee varieties again.
How
they stack up Apis cerana scores over Apis mellifera in beekeeping operations in mountain areas |
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PARAMETERS | APIS CERENA (NATIVE BEE) |
APIS MELLIFERA (EXOTIC BEE) |
Initial investment | Very low | High |
Colony management costs | Negligible | High |
Risk involved | Low | High |
Potential of stationary beekeeping | Highly suitable | Not suitable |
Scale of beekeeping | Profitable even when operated on a small scale. It is most suitable for poor beekeepers operating in remote mountain areas | Profitable only when operated on a large scale. It is most appropriate for commercial farmers from accessible areas |
Pollination of early flowering mountain crops | More efficient | Less suitable, colony strengths low early in the season |
Indigenous knowledge | Exists | Nil |
Susceptibility to mites and predators | Resistant | Vulnerable |
Ecoservices | High | Low |
Source: Farooq Ahmad and Uma Partap et al 2002, Retreating Native bee, Apis cerana populations and Livelihoods of Himalayan Farmers, Himalayan Honeybees, ICIMOD, Nepal, http://www.icimod.org/focus/agriculture/bees/AAA/nativebee.htm, November 8, 2002 |