Sustainable Agriculture India Project #51309

Bees for Life!

by Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences

Project Report | Jan 30, 2025
A Milestone in Sustainable Apiculture: Honey Collection Begins

By Sarath Babu | Project Leader

Removing eggs from the honeycomb

Thanks to the generous support of our donors, our beekeeping initiative has reached a significant stage. The colony has grown strong and self-sufficient, allowing us to transition from supplemental feeding to natural foraging. This marks a crucial shift, as the bees are now actively collecting nectar from surrounding flowers, reinforcing their role in local pollination and ecosystem balance.

With the super chamber now in place, the hive is entering the honey production phase. This period is vital, as it ensures surplus honey storage while maintaining the health of the colony. Regular hive inspections, monitoring of nectar flow, and ensuring optimal conditions for honey maturation are key activities during this time. Our team is also focusing on maintaining hive hygiene, managing pest threats, and ensuring the bees have access to diverse floral resources for high-quality honey production.

This stage is not just about honey collection—it strengthens the entire ecological cycle. Increased pollination supports local biodiversity, enhances crop yields for farmers, and contributes to a sustainable livelihood model for beekeepers. By fostering responsible beekeeping practices, we are creating a long-term impact on both environmental conservation and community development.

At the same time, the demand for pure, unadulterated honey is rising as consumers seek healthier and more natural alternatives to processed sweeteners. By ensuring ethical and sustainable honey production, we are not only supporting local ecosystems but also providing high-quality, chemical-free honey to health-conscious consumers. This initiative bridges the gap between responsible apiculture and the growing need for pure honey in the market.

As part of our community outreach initiatives, we are also empowering destitute women and cancer patients by providing apiaries and training them in hive maintenance and honey collection—completely free of cost. This initiative offers them a sustainable source of income while fostering self-reliance and dignity through meaningful work in apiculture.

Your support continues to be the backbone of this initiative. Every contribution helps sustain these efforts, ensuring that we can expand responsible apiculture and promote ecological harmony. Thank you for being a part of this journey!

"Bees do more than make honey; they sustain life itself. Every drop of honey harvested is a testament to their resilience and the harmony of nature."

The "architects"- Honeycomb building in progress

Apiary with queen excluders to avoid queen entry

Honeycomb cutting for the honey chamber

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Oct 11, 2024
Young Apiarists Take Flight: Hands-On Apiculture Training Inspires Environmental Stewardship

By Sarath Babu N B | Project Leader

Learning the nature's architecture

A group of young apiarists, including Kris, Jeremiah, Harshad, Aashika, Eeshani, and Irene, recently embarked on a journey into the fascinating world of bees. In partnership with Pallikoodam School, Kalathipady, TIES conducted an Apiculture Training for 10th-grade students as part of the school’s "Bagless Saturday" initiative, which encourages hands-on, real-world learning experiences focused on biodiversity conservation.

Dr. Punnen Kurian, Secretary of TIES, introduced the students to the world of honey bees through an engaging session on "Introduction to Apiculture," highlighting their crucial role in the ecosystem. Following this, Mr. Sarath Babu N B, Nature Education Officer at TIES, provided a detailed session on "Apiculture Farming." His presentation covered essential topics such as the ecosystem services bees provide, the various species in India, hive management, and the challenges of modern beekeeping. Students also learned about the economic and environmental benefits of beekeeping, including producing honey and beeswax.

The program culminated in a hands-on experience where students explored Apis cerana indica colonies under expert guidance. They were able to handle bee colonies, identify drones, workers, and queens, and closely examine the structure of a honeycomb. Many students left the session feeling empowered to manage beehives with confidence. Each participant was presented with a thoughtful gift—a small bottle of pure, golden honey, symbolizing sweetness and gratitude.

This enriching experience not only deepened the students' understanding of biodiversity conservation but also inspired a stronger commitment to environmental stewardship. It was a day that connected classroom theory with practical learning, leaving a lasting impact on the students' appreciation for the natural world.

Your support will help to build new apiarists. Donate for a session or "golden gift " or the bees

"In every drop of honey, there’s a world of wonder—where nature’s smallest creatures teach us the greatest lessons about balance, harmony, and sustainability."

Experiencing the buzz

The apiarists

The "beek's" with honey

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Jun 12, 2024
Bee Haven: A Tale of Rescue and Harmony

By SARATH BABU N B | Project Leader

Capturing

In a heartwarming tale of dedication and conservation, TIES team recently embarked on a mission titled "Rescue of the Little Pollinators," focusing on the delicate yet vital Apis cerana indica , better known as the Indian honey bees. The significance of honey bee farming traces back an astonishing 10,000 years, a testament to the enduring bond between humans and these industrious insects.

The urgency of this rescue mission was underscored by a call from Mr. Prince Elias of Maalam, Kottayam, who reported a captivating sight—a sprawling hive nestled beneath the sun shade of his house, emitting an enchanting buzz that stirred the senses. As the TIES team rallied together, equipped with meticulous safety measures, they approached the scene with a blend of reverence and determination. What awaited them was a mesmerizing sight—a massive, ebony-hued sphere pulsating with life, resonating with the collective hum of countless tiny wings.

With unwavering care and precision, the team delicately coaxed the precious inhabitants of the hive into their custody, ensuring their safe relocation to a new abode—a hive fashioned with all the comforts and amenities befitting their noble stature. However, amidst the rescue operation, a gesture of reciprocity unfolded, as a portion of the honey, nature's golden elixir, was respectfully harvested to bridge the gap between human and bee, fostering harmony between two worlds.

In this buzzing symphony of life and cooperation, the TIES team exemplified the profound bond between humanity and the natural world, reaffirming our collective responsibility to safeguard the intricate tapestry of life that sustains us all. Through this tireless efforts, we not only preserved a species but reminding the transformative power of compassion and stewardship in the ongoing saga of conservation.

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