Indian honeybees are disappearing from Himachal | Why are they important to the Himalayan ecology?
Honeybees are an integral part of mountain farming in Himachal Pradesh. It is a source of income, nutrition, and medicine for mountain communities. These tiny superorganisms help in pollination of plants. Which increases the productivity of crops and maintains biodiversity of the region. Traditionally, farmers in Himachal keep the indigenous honeybee called Apis cerana. But in the last few decades, there has been a steep decline in their numbers. These indigenous bees, which are crucial to our ecosystem are on a verge of extinction.
In 1961, Apis mellifera, a different honeybee species from Italy was introduced in the state. Many beekeepers in Himachal Pradesh transitioned to Apis mellifera. These bees can produce 3 times more honey than the Apis cerana. Even Though the honey production rocketed in the state, other issues started to show up. The Italian bees can only survive under intense care and protection offered by the beekeeper. They need a lot of flora spread over a vast expanse of land. But this is not possible considering the geography of Himachal Pradesh. Apis mellifera is also vulnerable to attacks from a wide array of predators, pests, and parasites (e.g., hornets, sun bears, Varroa) .They must be treated with antibiotics for Varroa control. Hence these subspecies are not suitable for the hills. On the other hand, Apis cerana is a natural host of Varroa and does not require any treatment. while the vast majority of Apis cerana colonies still live wild and in balance with nature. While the majority is opting for the commercially popular mellifera, there are some beekeepers who still understand the value of Apis cerana bees.
Almost all homes in Himachal have honeybee hives. They are mainly kept in log and wall hives close to the homestead. Local honey bees come and stay in them. These hives are built into a wall. The wall of a house is carved out to make a hollow space, which was typically covered with wood used as a door to the hive. Finally, the wooden door is plastered and secured using cow dung. Behind the wall, through a small opening, bees could move freely and make honey. Honey can be harvested from these wall hives twice a year. Apis cerana bees have a long foraging time and the pollination rate is also higher. This will help farmers in the region who are cultivating cash crops like apples and plums.
Apis cerana population has been declining for decades in Himachal Pradesh. Deforestation, climate change, competition from exotic Apis mellifera, increased use of pesticides are killing these tiny insects. Their decline is a direct threat to crop production and sustainable biodiversity in Himachal Pradesh.
Видео Indian honeybees are disappearing from Himachal | Why are they important to the Himalayan ecology? канала Down To Earth
In 1961, Apis mellifera, a different honeybee species from Italy was introduced in the state. Many beekeepers in Himachal Pradesh transitioned to Apis mellifera. These bees can produce 3 times more honey than the Apis cerana. Even Though the honey production rocketed in the state, other issues started to show up. The Italian bees can only survive under intense care and protection offered by the beekeeper. They need a lot of flora spread over a vast expanse of land. But this is not possible considering the geography of Himachal Pradesh. Apis mellifera is also vulnerable to attacks from a wide array of predators, pests, and parasites (e.g., hornets, sun bears, Varroa) .They must be treated with antibiotics for Varroa control. Hence these subspecies are not suitable for the hills. On the other hand, Apis cerana is a natural host of Varroa and does not require any treatment. while the vast majority of Apis cerana colonies still live wild and in balance with nature. While the majority is opting for the commercially popular mellifera, there are some beekeepers who still understand the value of Apis cerana bees.
Almost all homes in Himachal have honeybee hives. They are mainly kept in log and wall hives close to the homestead. Local honey bees come and stay in them. These hives are built into a wall. The wall of a house is carved out to make a hollow space, which was typically covered with wood used as a door to the hive. Finally, the wooden door is plastered and secured using cow dung. Behind the wall, through a small opening, bees could move freely and make honey. Honey can be harvested from these wall hives twice a year. Apis cerana bees have a long foraging time and the pollination rate is also higher. This will help farmers in the region who are cultivating cash crops like apples and plums.
Apis cerana population has been declining for decades in Himachal Pradesh. Deforestation, climate change, competition from exotic Apis mellifera, increased use of pesticides are killing these tiny insects. Their decline is a direct threat to crop production and sustainable biodiversity in Himachal Pradesh.
Видео Indian honeybees are disappearing from Himachal | Why are they important to the Himalayan ecology? канала Down To Earth
Показать
Комментарии отсутствуют
Информация о видео
Другие видео канала
![SC declines to designate Joshimath crisis a national disaster; redirects petitioner to HC](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QdVOB6zGkhw/default.jpg)
![Carcasses of turtles and dolphins wash up on Sri Lankan shores after cargo disaster](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vZCF8hzKb74/default.jpg)
![World Environment Day 2023 : Cleaning up marine litter; too little, too late?](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2hhgBSY-IMg/default.jpg)
![Hunting elephants, rhinos and pangolins for trade may affect climate, says UN paper; here is how](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7gqcK-RQqr4/default.jpg)
![Saved by a Seed : Meet the woman who preserves over 90 endangered varieties of grains](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/J8FFoMm5R68/default.jpg)
![Ground frost causes damage to potato, vegetable crops in North India](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pI1shNDRbEM/default.jpg)
![Climate finance needs could cost the country 85.6 lakh crore by 2030](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/W_Xz_VJDgqU/default.jpg)
![World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2023: Are small-scale incinerators a good idea?](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RYD8NZfHpTs/default.jpg)
![German government sued over failure to meet climate goals](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HmsS6HCrOMo/default.jpg)
![COVID-19 outbreak in India: Centre announces Rs 1.7 lakh crore relief package](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kvZ7R_uWfbk/default.jpg)
![Breakthrough Surgery : Heart transplant, but from a pig](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0qc5KqPW-00/default.jpg)
![Centre hikes Kharif crops’ MSP; paddy at Rs 2,183 per quintal](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bNqVa4DJ8uA/default.jpg)
![How this school went green with solar energy and saved money](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/D4r-V_9jJLU/default.jpg)
![Nearly 150,000 Indians have died in the past 51 years because of extreme weather](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lg4F8_QdNlY/default.jpg)
![India had 241 out of 273 Extreme Weather event days in 2022](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2UoQ23vwPA8/default.jpg)
![Delhi's active Black fungus cases exceeds the COVID-19 cases](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/P4m84UC9Rhw/default.jpg)
![How a possible El Nino can lead to failed monsoon in India?](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZVzxPgdUGew/default.jpg)
![Renewable energy and Biogas plants | Union budget 2023-24 Focus](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Wo_BrUzpQ0M/default.jpg)
![Economic Survey 2022-23 (Agriculture and Employment)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OKB6aiC62No/default.jpg)
![Ghazipur landfill in Delhi catches fire, But why?](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HD3cn-ZVeeE/default.jpg)
![The Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) Explained](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zngZFNPtpAk/default.jpg)