Women in Uttarakhand's Hills Work to Save Native Honey Bees Amid Decline
In Pithoragarh and across Uttarakhand's Kumaon region, women are central to keeping traditional wall hives of the native Himalayan honey bee alive as the species faces decline.
Current Summary
Women in rural Uttarakhand have long kept the indigenous Apis cerana indica, or Himalayan honey bee, in wall hives built into their homes, according to a Mongabay report from Pithoragarh district. Saraswati Devi, 80, is among those who maintain this tradition, with bees considered sacred enough to feature in 'faag,' traditional songs sung at weddings and festivals in the Kumaon region. The report says native bee populations are declining due to factors including climate change, the introduction of non-native bee species for higher honey yields, habitat fragmentation and inadequate nutrition. Because bee-keeping has traditionally been part of household duties, women play a central role in conservation efforts for the species.
What We Know
- Women in Uttarakhand's Kumaon region, including in Pithoragarh district, traditionally keep the native Apis cerana indica honey bee in wall hives built into their homes.
- Bees are considered sacred in local tradition and are referenced in 'faag,' songs sung at weddings and festivals.
- Native bee populations are declining due to climate change, introduction of non-native bee species, habitat fragmentation and inadequate nutrition.
- Because household bee-keeping duties traditionally fall to women, they play a central role in conservation of the species.
What Is Still Unclear
- The scale of the population decline or the number of households still maintaining native hives.
- Whether any government or NGO programme currently supports this conservation effort.
What Changed
- 20 Oct, 07:21 pmSignal detected: Women in Uttarakhand's Hills Work to Save Native Honey Bees Amid Decline