Bio-diversity

The rate of increase in crop yield because of the pollination has been estimated to range from 30 to as high as 3000 percent (Reddy, 1995). The honeybee species posse s different ecological, nutritional and economic attributes among which, pollination contribution is needed to be exploited. Honeybee diversity in Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) consists of Apis cerana Feb., A. dorsata Feb., A. florae Feb. and A. laboriosa Smith and exotic A. mellifera Lin. Pollination by the honeybee is a main way of biodiversity in different geographical areas (Pratap and Verma, 1996). Wild honeybee A. dorsata is native and natural pollinators of several cultivated and wild plants in Asia (Atwal, 1970, Maun and Gurudip, 1983, Singh, 2000) including the Siwalic range of Nepal. Their nesting sites are tall trees, buildings and water towers with available food resources (Hadorn, 1984, Reddy, 1980). They are good honey collector (Thakar and Tonapi, 1961). The biodiversity of various crop plants including the wild flora in the Siwalics of Nepal is because of the role of A. dorsata through cross pollination. However, the colony population of this pollinator is severely decreasing year after year (Pokhrel, 2005). It is because of honey hunting, destruction of the nesting sites and the natural pasture (forest), predatory and parasitic pressure, environment factors and use of pesticides on crop protection. In addition, the multiplication of A. mellifera colonies has been pushed A. dorsata on the verge of extinction form it`s natural habitat (Pokhrel, 2005). The immigration rate and the period of stay of the A. dorsata colonies have been decreased seriously in Bara (Pokhrel, 2005). That is why pollination has been hampered, crop productivity decreased and botanical biodiversity in the Siwalics threatened. There have been reported 225 different plants species visiting by A. dorsata for pollination in Bara District (Pokhrel, 2005). The crop productivity of the cross pollinating crops like mustard, buckwheat and cucurbits are not improved as per expectation in the project area. Haraiya and Karaiya VDCs lies in Bara district where, the immigration rate of the most efficient pollinators A. dorsata colonies is declining year after year and the productivity of cross pollinating crops are declining year after year. Farmers` estimation is 50 % crop yield declined with in a decade. Since, the proposed area is adversely affected by the use of chemical pesticides in vegetable crops, this not only destroys the honeybee but also affects mustard yield The project concerns for the conservation of native honeybee in its natural habitat. It covers the agro ecosystem, socio-economic and ecologies study and conservation and management of native honeybees to enhance cross pollination for sustainable bio diversity, increase crop productivity and income generation from wax and honey harvesting. It also aims to promote organic vegetable farming and conserve forest corridor in Bara.

Nepal