Status of bee keeping in Himachal Pradesh, India: A review

Abstract

Beekeeping in Himachal Pradesh is very primitive. Indigenous beekeeping with Apis cerana is an integral part of the social and cultural heritage of rural and tribal communities. Comparative morphological studies have revealed that Himachali bees are smaller than Kashmiri bees. Beekeeping with Apis mellifera is migratory and it helps in increasing the honey production through exploitation of different bee flora thereby providing opportunity for overcoming unfavorable climatic conditions as well as attack of local bee enemies. Comparative studies have revealed that A. mellifera bees were very prone to stinging and were easily distributed as compared to A. cerana which were less excitable and could be safely handled. Major bee enemies of the state include Thai sac brood, Nosema, Europeon Foul Brood, ectoparasitic mites, Wasps, birds and bear. Plectranthus is one of the major honey flow flora for the winter months in Himachal Pradesh.