Beekeeping and Honey Hunting in Nepal: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Nepal is rich in honey bee diversity. Four native species of honey bees viz. Apis laboriosa, Apis dorsata, Apis florea, and Apis cerana and one exotic species, Apis mellifera are found in Nepal. Beekeeping with A. cerana was started in 1960, whereas A. mellifera in 1990. The Nepal Government and several foreign agencies have been involved in promoting beekeeping for the development of livelihood of deprived communities in rural areas, but beekeeping has been hindered due to lack of modern beekeeping technology, improper management of colonies, and lack of techniques in controlling mites, and brood diseases. The Nepal government and hundreds of international NGOs/INGOs are distributing bee colonies, honey buckets, and some hive tools to villagers for poverty alleviation without any proper beekeeping training. In addition, honey hunting from cliffs is a spectacular event for tourists to enhance the income generation of mountain people. Due to deforestation, and over-harvesting, the cliff-nesting species, A. laboriosa, is in an alarming decline. Other Apis species and 34 species of bumble bees have been recorded in Nepal, pollinating wild plants, as well as some of the cultivated crops.