Beehives Destroyed by Pesticides and Felling

Residents of Thar and several mountainous regions as well as arid zones and forests in Karachi have recently enjoyed new prosperity. However climate change does not bode well for honeybees. In many areas of Sindh, beehives have all but disappeared.

Environmentalists believe that climatic change, receding water flow in the River Indus and dried lakes and pesticides all contribute to the endangerment of the insect. Pesticides are accused of contributing greatly to the massive destruction of beehives in the region.

Farmers are said to use pesticides indiscriminately on vegetables, fruits and crops, including grains. This has an adverse effect on insects, birds and reptiles in the area. Bees are highly sensitive and select particular trees, plants and bushes to protect themselves from extreme heat and cold winds.

Environmentalists say bees cannot survive in this poisonous environment.

Dwindling groves, increasing deforestation and shortage of fresh water in rivers are also blamed for the destruction of beehives.

Reports say 53,000 acres of forest have been allotted to people with political clout, amidst strong protests by environmentalists. Groves have since begun disappearing at a staggering rate on both sides of the River Indus.

The remaining scattered groves along the River Indus are unable to sustain livestock or provide fuel, honey and water vegetables.

Ishaque Mangrio, an environmentalist from Sanghar said that climate change has affected rivers and forests but the excessive use of pesticides has also contributed to the destruction of beehives.

He said many people, who collect honey from these forests and make a living out of it, have since lost their source of income. As a result, there is hardly any pure honey in the local markets.

However, it can still be found in some areas of Thar, including Mithi and Nagarparkar, which attracts tourists.

Mangrio also said that honey per liter is being sold in Thar markets at Rs300 to Rs350 but the same product in Hyderabad and other towns is only available at Rs500.

Aziz Ahmed of the Matiari district recalled the days when the Indus was hardly two to three kilometres away from where he lives. Now, he says the entire forest area is being cultivated after chopping down trees. “There are hardly any groves in the area. People, who earned money by selling fresh honey, have been rendered jobless. The price of a one-litre bottle is Rs500 now but four to five years ago, it used to be a fifth of that.”

Others chimed in that there were beehives in the neighbourhood, the source of their livelihood.

Many people would visit these communities to regularly obtain honey for curing open wounds, eyesores and herbal remedies. Honey was also kept at home because it is thought to be a quick fix for coughs, colds and other health-related issues.

Fishermen on Karachi’s coast link the loss of beehives to the shortage of fresh water.

There are some NGOs, however, that claim to have started breeding bees in mangroves and other forests areas near the Indus. The results, as yet, are not visible from a commercial point of view. Beekeeping is said to be one of the better avenues to provide employment to young people.

Despite the claims made by the government and NGOs, promoting bee farming (apiculture) in Sindh is still a dream. The government needs to protect forests and flowering plants and train people for beekeeping at the Union Council level.

L. S. Sya [please visit Deforestation Watch.] Deforestation Watch was established to drive sustainability mainstream. Striving to be a center of green news, solutions and all things green, we also help corporations looking for green guidance.

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