The beekeepers of Nepal

Because bees play a vital role in pollinating crops dwindling bee populations are bad news for us humans.

However in Nepal Practical Action's bee-keeping project is creating new forms of income as well as maintaining healthy local bee populations.

In the village of Kirtipur in Nepal the traditional shifting cultivation (or slash and burn) agricultural practice is causing huge environmental problems. The "Slash and Burn" method removes vegetation cover from an area by cutting down and burning it before it is planted with crops for 2-3 years until the fertility of the soil runs out.

In addition to deforestation and literally running out of agricultural land, the vegetation which holds the land together is destroyed - in a mountainous area this leads to landslides and flash floods. Local people asked us about alternative sources of income and we suggested bee-keeping as one idea and ran a six day course to train local bee-keepers. We also provided 50% financial support so that people on the courses could buy their first hives.

After the training, 15 families took on hives with up to 8 hives per household. The community has also formed a group called the Serena Beekeeping Group.

And there are already signs that slash and burn farming is being reduced. Now the beekeepers are keen to maintain their local forestry for their honey. Here's how the project has affected local resident Mr Ek Bahadur Sinjali:

Mr Sinjali has six people in his family and used to be unable to feed his family through the year using traditional framing practices. He says, "I had to work the whole day just to feed my family. When I got an opportunity to be part of the beekeeping training, I became aware of bee-keeping benefits." The project supported his first beehive and since then he has bought another seven. "I bought all hives from the income of honey. We don't need to feed them and every month we get honey from them. We don't even need land. We can use our spare space around our house"

Mr Sinjali is now looking to create a Kirtipur honey brand to sell in the market.

To find out more about Practical Action's work in Nepal:

Preparing for the floods Early warning systems, protective shelters and strengthened river embankments can help to reduce the impact of disastrous floods in Chitwan. Improved river crossings River crossing Tuin technology can provide a sustainable solution to the excluded and isolated people of rural and mountainous regions of Nepal. Renewable energy village Demonstrating how micro hydro, solar and wind energy can make an enormous benefit to income generation and local development without increasing CO2 emissions. Bicycle ambulances For remote communities in the plains of Nepal, a bicycle ambulance provides a vital lifeline, enabling them to get the sick to medical centres quickly and in comfort.

Bringing life to the land Using simple technology, such as foot-driven treadle pumps, Practical Action is helping "low caste" families in Nepal move from malnutrition to self-sufficiency. Gravity ropeways Depending solely on gravitational force – and using no external power – gravitational ropeways are simple and inexpensive to operate as well as environmentally friendly. Coping with climate change Practical Action Nepal has been working with vulnerable communities in Chitwan to identify and develop strategies to adapt to climate change.

Read other Small Talk stories:
Sustainable Teachers | New Energy Video | Wind-powered Rooney