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Honeybees of Vidarbha: A Study of Species, Distribution and Conservation

Apis cerana indica (Fabricius 1798) Indian Honeybee
Apis cerana indica (Fabricius 1798) Indian Honeybee

The dry deciduous forests and agricultural landscapes of Vidarbha in eastern Maharashtra harbour a rich diversity of honeybee species that have sustained local ecosystems and rural livelihoods for centuries.


Recent scientific studies reveal that this region hosts at least five distinct honeybee species, each playing a crucial role in pollination and honey production across the districts of Nagpur, Wardha, Amravati, Akola, Buldhana, Yavatmal, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli.


The giant honeybee Apis dorsata, locally known as the rock bee, dominates the wild honeybee population in Vidarbha. Researchers at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University documented approximately 75 nests of this species in urban Nagpur alone during a 2023 survey.


The study found that 73 percent of these nests were active, with the bees demonstrating remarkable adaptation to urbanisation by preferring concrete structures over traditional nesting sites. Around 60 percent of the nests were found on multi-storey buildings, while 28 percent were located on metro line structures. The majority of these nests, approximately 90 percent, were attached to concrete surfaces rather than wood or metal.


Apis cerana indica, the Indian honeybee, represents another significant species in the region. This cavity-nesting bee has been the backbone of traditional beekeeping practices across Vidarbha for decades.


The species is particularly important for commercial honey production due to its manageable nature and adaptability to box hives.


Conservation biologists at Hislop College in Nagpur maintain 15 boxes of Apis cerana indica alongside 30 boxes of stingless bees, yielding over 100 kilograms of honey annually.

Their research on monofloral honey production at apiaries in Kondhali, Mahurzari and Tumsar has contributed significantly to understanding the species' foraging patterns.


The smaller Apis florea, commonly called the dwarf honeybee or red dwarf honeybee, occupies a unique ecological niche in Vidarbha. Research conducted by the Centre of Science for Villages in Wardha has focused on training rural women to nurture Apis florea apiaries and extract honey using scientific methods.


This species builds single exposed combs on branches and shrubs, making it accessible for small-scale honey collection. Despite its smaller size and lower honey production compared to other species, Apis florea serves as an essential pollinator for agricultural crops and wild vegetation throughout the region.


The fourth species, Apis mellifera, was introduced to Vidarbha from Europe for commercial beekeeping purposes. Agricultural extension programmes across the region have distributed colonies of this species to farmers, particularly in districts like Aurangabad and surrounding areas.


A study involving 136 farmers in Aurangabad district demonstrated the economic impact of introducing Apis mellifera bee boxes to agricultural fields.


Pomegranate farmers who maintained one bee box per acre witnessed yield increases of over 53 percent, with production jumping from 410.7 tonnes to 722.5 tonnes across 58 acres. The improved pollination resulted in additional income exceeding 1.38 crore rupees for the participating farmers.


Tetragonula iridipennis, the Indian stingless bee, represents the fifth honeybee type found in Vidarbha.


Though technically belonging to a different tribe within the bee family, these tiny black bees form large social colonies and produce honey valued for its medicinal properties. Conservation efforts in Nagpur have focused on rescuing and relocating stingless bee colonies threatened by urban development projects.


Teams from Hislop College have rescued bees from over 200 fallen trees during road widening projects since 2017, establishing meliponiculture initiatives that now maintain 30 boxes of stingless bees.


Habitat, Distribution and Nesting Behaviour

Apis Dorsata or Rock Honey Bee
Apis Dorsata or Rock Honey Bee

The distribution of honeybee species across Vidarbha reflects the region's diverse ecological zones.


Surveys conducted in Nagpur and Wardha districts from April 2017 to March 2018 identified 92 plant species serving as bee flora.

Of these, 35 were horticultural crops, 15 were agricultural crops, 12 were ornamental plants, and 30 were wild plant species. The abundance of bee flora peaked in March at 48.9 percent, corresponding with the peak flowering season for many native trees and agricultural crops.


Forest areas in eastern Vidarbha, particularly in Melghat, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur districts, support substantial populations of Apis dorsata.


A 2012-13 survey in south-east Vidarbha covered 85 villages and documented 9,095 colonies of Apis dorsata. The region produced 540 quintals of honey annually, generating approximately 15.8 lakh rupees in income for 405 beekeepers. The same survey found only 85 colonies of Apis cerana indica across 12 villages, producing 475 kilograms of honey and generating 95,000 rupees for 25 beekeepers.


Physicochemical analysis of honey collected from Apis dorsata combs in different districts of Vidarbha has confirmed its quality. Studies examining honey samples from Wardha and Gadchiroli found that the rock bee honey qualified all quality parameters established by Indian Standards, Agriculture Mark and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.


The honey exhibited proper levels of total sucrose, fructose, glucose, moisture content, minerals and acidity. Researchers noted slight variations in results but attributed these to similar floral sources across different locations rather than quality defects.


The nesting behaviour of Apis dorsata in Vidarbha has adapted to changing landscapes. Research in urban Nagpur revealed that the giant honeybees prefer heights of 40 feet or more for nest construction, with the highest nest recorded at 120 feet above ground level.


The study found that 63.51 percent of nests were established without a nearby water body, suggesting that urban infrastructure provides adequate water sources through alternative means. Nests displayed varied directional orientations, with 28 out of 75 documented nests facing east, though researchers could not determine a clear reason for this preference.


Traditional honey collection practices in Vidarbha have historically posed threats to bee populations.


Tribal communities in Gadchiroli, including the Gond, Madiya, Kolam and Pardhan tribes, traditionally collected honey using crude methods involving fire and smoke. These destructive techniques often resulted in the complete destruction of honeycombs and the death of entire bee colonies.


Forest department surveys revealed that approximately 30 percent of tree felling cases in tribal areas were related to honey collection, as collectors would cut down trees to access hives in upper branches or trunk cavities.


The Centre of Science for Villages in Dattapur, Wardha, has pioneered alternative approaches to wild honey harvesting.


The organisation developed sting-proof protective clothing and non-violent extraction techniques that preserve both honeycombs and bee colonies.

Training programmes conducted by the centre have reached approximately 25,000 honey hunters from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The new methods eliminate fire from the extraction process, preventing damage to standing forest vegetation and maintaining honey quality by avoiding heat exposure.


Conservation and Beekeeping Initiatives

Apis Florea or the Dwarf Honey Bee
Apis Florea or the Dwarf Honey Bee

Conservation initiatives in Etapalli tehsil of Gadchiroli district have demonstrated the potential of sustainable honey collection. The forest department established a honey processing centre in 2007 with support from the district administration.


Over 100 Madia and Gond tribal members from Jeevangatta village and surrounding areas received training from the Centre of Science for Villages on scientific honey collection methods.

Between 2007 and 2011, the processing unit collected 11,140 kilograms of honey, generating a profit of 5.17 lakh rupees. Collectors received 80 rupees per kilogram, significantly higher than the 40 rupees per kilogram they previously earned from local traders.


The Raj Bhavan biodiversity park in Nagpur launched a honeybee keeping project in 2016 to support Vidarbha farmers. The initiative installed 15 honeybee hives with plans to expand to 50 hives. The project aimed not at honey production but at increasing crop yields through enhanced pollination services.


The 121-acre biodiversity park, containing over 29,000 plants representing diverse species, provides ideal foraging conditions for the honeybee colonies. The administration planned to transport bee boxes to organic farms throughout Vidarbha, allowing honeybees to pollinate crops before returning the boxes to the park.


Beekeeping development programmes across Vidarbha have provided technical training and material support to farmers and rural youth. Organisations like Bee The Change have trained farmers in districts including Bhandara, conducting three-day programmes covering bee biology, colony management, hygiene maintenance and protection from predators.


Approximately 25 to 30 farmers in Pauni village installed bee boxes after receiving training. Vegetable and fruit farmers reported yield increases of 200 to 300 percent for crops including bitter gourd, drumsticks, cow pea beans, capsicum, guava, papaya, lemon and banana.


The Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board operates the Madhkendra scheme to promote scientific beekeeping across the state.


The Central Bee Research and Training Institute maintains a honey directorate at Mahabaleshwar that provides training to beneficiaries, distributes beehives and materials, and processes and markets honey products. The board offers both basic 10-day training courses and advanced 20-day residential training programmes at the directorate.


Financial assistance combines 50 percent grants with 50 percent loans to support new beekeepers.


Research institutions in Vidarbha have contributed to understanding bee flora diversity and seasonal availability.


Studies at Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth documented major bee-attracting plants, including Semal, Khair, Palas, Kadamb, Arjun, Bahava, Karanj, Jamun and Mahua.


These trees flower at different periods throughout the year, providing continuous food sources for honeybee populations.

Agricultural crops such as mustard, sunflower, and various vegetables attract intensive bee visitation during their flowering periods. Wild plants, including numerous native species, supplement cultivated crops, creating a diverse floral calendar that supports healthy bee populations year-round.


Research Challenges and Future Perspective

Apis mellifera or European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera or European Honey Bee

Challenges facing honeybee populations in Vidarbha mirror global trends. Pesticide use in agricultural areas poses significant risks to bee health and colony survival.


The widespread application of neonicotinoid insecticides and other chemical pesticides affects bee navigation, foraging ability and reproductive success.

Studies indicate that even low concentrations of pesticides can cause long-term damage to bee colonies. Habitat loss through deforestation and urban expansion reduces nesting sites and floral resources, particularly affecting wild species like Apis dorsata and Apis florea.


Disease outbreaks represent another serious threat. Thai sacbrood virus, which devastated over 90 percent of bee colonies in South India during a 1991-92 outbreak, primarily affects Apis cerana populations. The disease kills bee larvae before they can develop into adults, severely reducing colony populations.


While specific outbreaks in Vidarbha have not been extensively documented, the region's proximity to affected areas and movement of bee colonies for commercial purposes create vulnerability to pathogen spread.


The introduction of Apis mellifera for commercial honey production has created complex ecological dynamics.


While this European species produces higher honey yields than indigenous species, its presence can displace native bee populations through resource competition. Conservation experts have noted the importance of maintaining diverse indigenous bee species rather than focusing solely on high-yield commercial varieties.


Native species like Apis cerana indica and Apis dorsata possess adaptations to local environmental conditions and diseases that make them more resilient than introduced species.


Economic opportunities in beekeeping continue to attract rural youth and farmers across Vidarbha. The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission provides support through training programmes, subsidies for equipment, and market linkages. Initiatives in Amravati have proposed establishing 100 beehives to train community members, targeting 40 percent adoption rates among trained participants.


The region's climate and diverse crop production create favourable conditions for both stationary and migratory beekeeping operations.


Honey production from wild bees remains economically significant in forested districts. Gadchiroli's Salhe gram sabha collected 17 quintals of honey in both 2020 and 2021, paying 200 rupees per kilogram to extractors.


This represented 50 rupees more than prevailing market rates, demonstrating how community-controlled procurement systems can improve tribal livelihoods. The gram sabha invested in 10 honey extraction kits and one processing unit, enabling sustainable collection and marketing of forest honey under their own brand.


Scientific research on honeybees in Vidarbha encompasses multiple disciplines. Entomologists study species identification, distribution patterns and nesting behaviour. Agricultural scientists investigate pollination efficiency and crop yield improvements. Biochemists analyse honey composition and quality parameters.


Ecologists examine the role of bees in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health. This multidisciplinary approach generates a comprehensive understanding of honeybee populations and their significance.


The Ramtek region of Nagpur district has emerged as a focus for arthropod biodiversity research, including studies on hymenopteran insects like honeybees. Surveys conducted from January to April 2025 in forest areas, lakesides, agricultural farms, college campuses and open lands documented the dominance and abundance of various insect populations.


The mosaic of ecosystems in this area, encompassing deciduous forests, scrublands, agricultural fields and freshwater bodies, provides diverse habitats supporting rich insect life essential for ecological research and conservation planning.


Urban beekeeping initiatives in Nagpur have demonstrated that honeybees can thrive in city environments when provided appropriate support. The rescue and relocation efforts following infrastructure development projects have transformed potential losses into conservation successes.


The establishment of apiaries on educational institution campuses creates opportunities for research, training and awareness generation. Students gain hands-on experience with bee colony management while producing honey that funds further conservation activities.


Traditional ecological knowledge held by tribal communities represents valuable information for honeybee conservation. Indigenous honey hunters possess a detailed understanding of bee behaviour, seasonal patterns, flowering cycles and optimal collection timing. Integrating this knowledge with scientific approaches creates more effective and culturally appropriate conservation strategies.


Training programmes that respect traditional practices while introducing sustainable techniques have achieved greater adoption rates than top-down interventions.

The diversity of honeybee species in Vidarbha reflects the region's position at the intersection of different biogeographic zones. The area's location between the Western Ghats, Central Indian highlands and Deccan Plateau creates varied microclimates and vegetation types.


This environmental heterogeneity supports multiple bee species with different ecological requirements, from cavity-nesting species preferring sheltered locations to open-nesting species that build exposed combs on branches.


The marketing and branding of Vidarbha honey products have expanded beyond local markets. The Central Bee Research and Training Institute in Pune sources organic honey from the Melghat region for its parlour, which sells 50 to 60 kilograms daily, worth over 20,000 rupees.


Honey extracted from wild flowers in Melghat forests and from specific floral sources like plum trees appeals to consumers seeking pure, sustainably harvested products. Planned variants, including litchi-sunflower blend and eucalyptus honey, aim to diversify product offerings.


Climate factors influence honeybee populations and honey production in Vidarbha. The region experiences hot summers, monsoon rains and mild winters. Temperature extremes can stress bee colonies, while drought conditions reduce floral resources.


The dearth period from mid-May to mid-June, characterised by high temperatures exceeding 39 degrees Celsius and scarce flowering plants, presents survival challenges. Beekeepers must provide supplementary feeding and ensure adequate water sources during these critical periods.


Forest management policies impact wild honeybee populations and honey harvesting activities. Regulations governing forest access, collection permits and benefit sharing affect tribal livelihoods dependent on honey.


Progressive policies that recognise community rights to forest produce while promoting sustainable harvesting practices create win-win outcomes. The Jivangatta forest protection committee in Gadchiroli exemplifies the successful integration of conservation and livelihood objectives through community-based natural resource management.


The future of honeybees in Vidarbha depends on balancing agricultural productivity, conservation needs and rural development. Promoting integrated pest management reduces pesticide impacts on bee populations. Maintaining diverse flowering plants through agroforestry and habitat restoration provides year-round food sources.


Supporting both traditional knowledge and scientific beekeeping creates resilient systems adapted to local conditions. Strengthening market linkages and fair pricing ensures that honey collectors receive adequate compensation for their labour and products.


Research gaps remain in understanding Vidarbha's honeybee populations. Long-term population monitoring would reveal trends and identify declining species requiring intervention.


Studies on pollination effectiveness for different crops could guide farmers in optimising bee colony placement. Investigation of disease prevalence and transmission pathways would inform health management strategies.


Documentation of traditional ecological knowledge before it disappears would preserve valuable information for future generations.


The interconnections between honeybees, agriculture, forests and human communities in Vidarbha create a complex socio-ecological system. Bees depend on diverse floral resources provided by natural vegetation and cultivated crops. Farmers benefit from pollination services that increase yields and incomes.


Forest ecosystems require pollinators to maintain plant diversity and regeneration. Rural communities gain livelihoods from honey collection and beekeeping.

Understanding these relationships guides holistic approaches to bee conservation and sustainable development.


Educational institutions in Vidarbha play crucial roles in bee research, training and outreach. University departments conduct studies on bee biology, ecology and management. Agricultural colleges train extension workers and farmers in scientific beekeeping.


Schools and colleges with campus apiaries provide hands-on learning opportunities. Public programmes and demonstrations raise awareness about bee importance and conservation needs. This educational infrastructure supports knowledge generation and dissemination essential for effective bee conservation.


References




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