Status of bee keeping in Himachal Pradesh, India: A review

Abstract

Beekeeping in Himachal Pradesh is very primitive. Indigenous beekeeping with Apis cerana is an integral part of the social and cultural heritage of rural and tribal communities. Comparative morphological studies have revealed that Himachali bees are smaller than Kashmiri bees. Beekeeping with Apis mellifera is migratory and it helps in increasing the honey production through exploitation of different bee flora thereby providing opportunity for overcoming unfavorable climatic conditions as well as attack of local bee enemies. Comparative studies have revealed that A. mellifera bees were very prone to stinging and were easily distributed as compared to A. cerana which were less excitable and could be safely handled. Major bee enemies of the state include Thai sac brood, Nosema, Europeon Foul Brood, ectoparasitic mites, Wasps, birds and bear. Plectranthus is one of the major honey flow flora for the winter months in Himachal Pradesh.

Effect of supplementary sugar feeding on colony growth of Asiatic hive bee, Apis cerana indica F.

“…Honey bees are responsible for approximately 85 % of the pollination activity required to feed approximately one-third of the world's food supply. India comprises seven % of the world's vegetation, which can support 200 million bee colonies and provide direct employment to over 21.5 million individuals (Sharma et al, 2022). In addition to honey production, beekeeping provides a number of other advantages (Gupta et al, 2014).…”

Wide diversity of pollens in honey samples from Indian Himalayan neighbourhoods: a melissopalynological study

“…Himachal Pradesh is a hilly state situated in the heart of Western Himalayas. Himachal Pradesh is a fruit growing state and honeybees may boost crop productivity, thereby improving the socio-economic standing of the residents engaged in honey apiculture (Sharma et al 2022). Along with apple, other temperate fruit trees (Prunus amygdalus, Prunus armenica, Prunus avium, Prunus domestica, Prunus persica and Pyrus communis) are cultivated (Balokhra 2013).…”