We should make a National Honey Tribal Network
Honey hunting is a major commercial and socially relevant activity and has been practised since time immemorial in different parts of the world. It is an ancient activity across forests of India. Evidence of honey hunting have been inscribed in as varied a place as cave paintings in Madhya Pradesh to tribal folklore in Tamil Nadu. Indigenous populations over large parts have been involved in honey hunting activities for their cultural sustenance as well as economic benefits. More than beekeeping, it is honey obtained from wild sources and forests that are a major source of production and income of large numbers of indigenous people. The trade in Apis dorsata is commonly found. Huge quantities of honey and beeswax are sold to wholesalers from towns in this region.
In the central and eastern parts of the country, honey yields are substantial from Apis dorsata, primarily due to good forest patches in and around sanctuaries and protected areas. Apis dorsata collectors are mainly tribals. Honey for health and Ayurvedic medicines has been a traditional industry in this region.
The mangrove forests of the Sunderbans are an excellent habitat for Apis dorsata. The entire southern region is rich in Apis dorsata populations - contributing to a large share of the total Indian honey market. In Andhra Pradesh, farmers & honey hunters in the hills of the Eastern Ghats collect honey. A significant quantity of honey is passed on to traders.
"Honey production in India is only about 27,000 tonnes a year and a major portion of this is obtained from Apis dorsata though the share of apiary honey is increasing every year. At present, it is estimated that about 9000 tonnes of honey is produced from six hundred thousand colonies. Only about 20-25 per cent of the bee flora is being exploited at present. “(Mishra, R.C, The Hindu Survey of Indian Agriculture, 1999).
The methods of collection of honey and beeswax from these nests have changed only slightly over the millennia. Currently, China captures 40% of the world market and the biggest importers of honey are Germany, Japan and the United States. Germany imports about 90 thousand tonnes of honey annually. India produces about 70,000 tonnes of honey every year of which 25–27,000 tonnes is being exported to more than 42 countries, including the European Union, Middle East and the United States (2002–03). The major honey-producing states are Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Source - http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/may252007/1335.pdf
However, there are still no or little knowledge on the exact quantity of honey collected nor much input have been initiated on the status of the honey collectors and their income in the complex line of marketing of honey collected from the wild and finally consumed by the consumer. Also, any accurate estimates of the number of honey collectors are not available. It is imperative to understand the status of these honey collectors and the quantities of honey collection in forested areas of India. This knowledge will be helpful in aiding interventions to initiate ecological monitoring of these forests and additionally understand the complex relation of indigenous people with that of honey.
Maybe, if all NGO's working in the field of environment can come together with a database of wild honey collected and sold across the country, we may be able to create a truly viable network of tribal honey collectors.
In the central and eastern parts of the country, honey yields are substantial from Apis dorsata, primarily due to good forest patches in and around sanctuaries and protected areas. Apis dorsata collectors are mainly tribals. Honey for health and Ayurvedic medicines has been a traditional industry in this region.
The mangrove forests of the Sunderbans are an excellent habitat for Apis dorsata. The entire southern region is rich in Apis dorsata populations - contributing to a large share of the total Indian honey market. In Andhra Pradesh, farmers & honey hunters in the hills of the Eastern Ghats collect honey. A significant quantity of honey is passed on to traders.
"Honey production in India is only about 27,000 tonnes a year and a major portion of this is obtained from Apis dorsata though the share of apiary honey is increasing every year. At present, it is estimated that about 9000 tonnes of honey is produced from six hundred thousand colonies. Only about 20-25 per cent of the bee flora is being exploited at present. “(Mishra, R.C, The Hindu Survey of Indian Agriculture, 1999).
The methods of collection of honey and beeswax from these nests have changed only slightly over the millennia. Currently, China captures 40% of the world market and the biggest importers of honey are Germany, Japan and the United States. Germany imports about 90 thousand tonnes of honey annually. India produces about 70,000 tonnes of honey every year of which 25–27,000 tonnes is being exported to more than 42 countries, including the European Union, Middle East and the United States (2002–03). The major honey-producing states are Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Source - http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/may252007/1335.pdf
However, there are still no or little knowledge on the exact quantity of honey collected nor much input have been initiated on the status of the honey collectors and their income in the complex line of marketing of honey collected from the wild and finally consumed by the consumer. Also, any accurate estimates of the number of honey collectors are not available. It is imperative to understand the status of these honey collectors and the quantities of honey collection in forested areas of India. This knowledge will be helpful in aiding interventions to initiate ecological monitoring of these forests and additionally understand the complex relation of indigenous people with that of honey.
Maybe, if all NGO's working in the field of environment can come together with a database of wild honey collected and sold across the country, we may be able to create a truly viable network of tribal honey collectors.
