Scope and Constraint of Beekeeping in Satjalia Island within Indian Sundarban Delta
Abstract
The Indian Sundarban on northern Bay of Bengal is the largest contiguous mangrove forest on earth, is a highly productive and diverse ecosystem (ES) with an aerial coverage of 9629 Sq Km. This ecosystem is also providing a wide range of direct or indirect ecosystem services (ES) and livelihood opportunities for the society. The extent of aerial coverage of the forest has not changed much in the last decade, but the health of the forest degraded along with their ecosystem services, as found from several studies. Traditionally, people of this region are dependent on farm based economy, else on the forest resources. Collection of natural honey from the forest is one such traditional practice while apiary beekeeping (Apiculture) started in the last decade only. This study is an attempt to understand the existing status of apiary beekeeping (Apiculture), their potential and constraints within the Satjalia Island, in the context of alternate livelihood option, either full time or as a seasonal profession.
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Introduction
Sundarban has a unique history, nature and landscape, the only mangrove tiger land on the earth. It is also facing multifaceted threats of cyclone, tidal surge, erosion and sea level rise, along with scarcity of freshwater, and existence of tigers, crocodiles and poisonous snakes. Agriculture is the major occupation, besides which a large number of people are also involved in fishing, collection of crab and honey from the forest. The common observation is that due to insufficient and gradual decrease in income from the major occupation, people of this region prefer to involve in seasonal livelihood options for secondary source of income. Honey and crab collection, along with fishing are such secondary profession, as these are confined for only few months in a year.
Increased interest in beekeeping through apiary installation has found in the last decade within the Indian Sundarban. Satjalia Island is not an exception, with the existing practice in its southern and eastern parts. A negligible percentage of the islander shave accepted that beekeeping is an opportunity for alternate income generation.
Apis Dorsata is the dominant species of Indian Sundarban, commonly found in the entire district of South 24 Parganas as well as different parts of West Bengal. Himalayan ranges restrict its natural occurrence towards north though its presence has been found up to east Bali. The summer month of March to July is the flowering season in the Indian Sundarban when the dominance of this species observed (Chowdhury et al. 2008).
A different species Apis Mellifera are in use for this Apiculture practice for commercial honey production in this region, which also indigenous to other parts of Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America. Locally it is called as ‘European Bee’. In India, the initial success was achieved in 1960s and during the next two decades beekeeping using the European bee gained popularity in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and other parts of West Bengal (Report on ‘Diagnostic Study Beekeeping and Honey Processing Cluster Old Malda Development Block).This species is comparatively smaller in size, but stronger than Apise Dorsata. It prefers enclosed nesting with a single colony strength varies from30000 to100000 number of honey bees (Bradbear et al. 2009)
Conclusion
Beekeeping process is always a very eco-friendly practice in Indian Sundarban. In comparison to other business, production cost is low and demands remain always high. It is very safe compared to the traditional honey collection, entering into forest and likely to pray for the man-eater Royal Bengal Tiger. With all scope, still this is not a popular livelihood option for the local community due to several constraints. A higher initial investment is always a challenge for economically challenging people of this island. Also, there are no such governments schemes with technical training, financial support, subsidy or loan facility which appears to be the main constraints for accepting this profession. Lack of technical knowledge on scientific beekeeping procedure and inability to combat bee diseases may decrease production and reduce profit. Unable to avoid the intermediate agents the beekeepers are not getting lucrative price for their production in the commercial market and sell product on lower prices with minimal profit, which reduces enthusiasm towards this particular business. Availability of adequate equipment for bee cultivation in local area is also one of the major challenges, which increases expenditure for initial setups.
Despite of various disadvantages this area has tremendous potential for earning through beekeeping due to its geographical advantage. Proper policy for training support from government and NGOs can change the scenario.
