The Bee Next Door!

Regardless of the awareness on the ecological importance of bees, letting a bee into your house might seem like a threatening prospect. Apparently, not so to the residents of Angadh. As a part of Summer Internship I chose to survey the presence of Asian Dwarf Honey Bee (Apis florea) in Vadodara District and learnt how the people of Angadh do what we wouldn't dare to. This bee prefers warmer climates and is native to south and south-east Asia. 

My team and I were welcomed by Parbatsinh, a village resident, who then led us to his hut. Picture this: a common village hut where a wife or a mother is cooking for the family and is completely oblivious of the presence of a 2-feet long Apis florea hive in her kitchen. That is how comfortable the people in Angadh are with these bees.

I have documented 22 Apis florea hives in 12 villages within 10 kms from the heart of the city. Angadh residents respect honeybees and so do not harm them. Apis florea hives have been spotted within the city limits on trees as well as buildings, but these were less accessible than those in villages.

And why are bees important? Bees live on nectar and pollen. Without bees, pollination would be difficult. The locals are well aware of the role played by bees in pollination responsible for increase in crop production. Bee products are used as food as well as in the cosmetic industry. Honey is the most important bee product and often has religious as well as cultural significance. Since Vedic period, honey is one of nature's most remarkable gifts to mankind. Apis florea honey is considered to have medicinal qualities and is highly prized. It has been estimated to fetch more than 800 Rs. per Kilo.

Bees can act as effective biodiversity indicators of an area since they are the most susceptible organisms to diversity changes. This less known bee species has a much smaller flight range of around 500 m and the presence of flowering plants is crucial for its survival.

Though the people of Angadh showed compassion, a stark opposite scenario was noted in several other villages where people would burn or smoke the hives or even destroy the entire hive for honey instead of adapting a more sustainable honey extraction technique.

In the recent years efforts are being made globally. Honey bees are threatened by several factors like rapid deforestation and loss of biodiversity, Varroa Mites and other diseases. Extensive use of pesticides and fertilizers also effect honeybees and residues of which can be found in honey.

Apis florea are known as 'desi' locally and have a smaller sting size compared to Apis Dorsata 'bhamri' which is the biggest and the most aggresive honeybee. Apis florea rarely stings, unless disturbed. Unlike Apis dorsata stings, Apis florea stings are less painful and do not lead to compications. If stung the locals here will pull out the stinger immediately and rub metallic object at the site to neutralize the effect.

Pollinator (bees) loss is becoming a very serious problem worldwide and we should be doing everything possible towards saving these bees. It has been estimated that up to one-third of the human food supply depends on insect pollination. So, if not for bio-diversity conservation, for our own survival, we need to protect bees and let them build their hives even within our homes! If we do not disturb them, they go about their lives without harming us as has been amply seen by presence of hives within the homes of village residents. Something to learn from those in Angadh?