HARD TIMES FOR SOUTH ASIA'S HONEY BEES

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000379

DEPT FOR OES/PCI, OES/ENRC, SCA/INS, SCA/RA
USAID FOR ANE/SAA
EPA FOR OIA FREEMAN
USDA FOR ARS, FS, AND APHIS

SIPDIS

REF: 07 KATHMANDU 731

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV TBIO EAGR XD NP
SUBJECT: HARD TIMES FOR SOUTH ASIA'S HONEY BEES

Summary
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1. An eight-month drought in Nepal has reduced honey production by
half and will contribute to rising prices of edible oil during the
monsoon season. Although generally not affected by colony collapse
disorder (CCD),honey bees in South Asia have to contend with an
increasing population of parasitic mites and the uncertain effects
of the growing Atmospheric Brown Cloud (ABC) covering South Asia.

What's Hurting South Asia's Bees?
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2. In a recent discussion with one of South Asia's leading
apiologists, the Regional Environmental Officer (REO) learned that
the region's bees are experiencing hard times due to the effects of
an eight-month drought, parasitic mites, and the ABC. In Nepal,
where bee keepers have lost 50 percent of their honey crop, these
conditions will lead to a sharp fall in mustard seed production and
a rise in imports and prices of edible oils. However, with enough
rain the bee population can recover relatively quickly and, in fact,
Nepal's bees are in better shape than bees in many other parts of
South Asia.


3. In Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Indian states of Punjab and
Haryana, parasitic varroa mites have destroyed 70 percent of the bee
populations. Bees introduced from Europe are particularly
vulnerable to these mites which are a spreading menace. Indigenous
bee species adapt by leaving their hives when mites are present in
large numbers. Mites can also be controlled with formic acid, a
highly toxic chemical which is in use in Nepal, but is not widely
used in other South Asian countries.


4. Colony collapse disorder (CCD) has appeared in Afghanistan where
it is linked to imports of artificial bees wax containing harmful
bacterial spores. CCD is not present in other South Asian countries
although some farmers do practice migratory bee keeping, which has
been associated with widespread CCD in the United States. The layer
of soot that builds up in the atmosphere over South Asia in the dry
season, known as the ABC, may also be a factor in the decline of the
region's bee populations. ABC tends to keep bees in their hives
leading apiologists to suspect that bees are unable to orient
themselves. The effect of forest fires on bee behavior is also not
clear.

Bee Research
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5. There are several other areas of apiological research relevant to
South Asia. Quantifying the contribution of bees to maintaining
healthy, productive ecosystems is an aspect of the discussion of
payment for environmental services. Payments for protecting the
natural environment can provide a much needed source of income to
rural communities, especially when their livelihoods depend heavily
on the environment. Scientists are also studying the stomachs of
bees to identify beneficial bacteria and ways to stimulate its
growth. More beneficial bacteria could lead to a greater honey
harvests. In addition, the Kathmandu-based International Center for
Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is working with South Asian
governments to improve honey production methods with a goal of
increasing exports.

Comment
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6. Additional research and management practices are necessary to
improve South Asia's honey bee industry. For example, Nepal, which
produced 1,400 metric tons of honey in 2008, has the potential to
produce 7,000 metric tons according to experts. However, honey is
not the most valuable product derived from bees. As pollinators,
they are essential to maintaining the rich biodiversity of the South
Asian subcontinent.

POWELL