BEE FLORAL CALENDER OF WEST BENGAL

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Permalink Reply by Clicia Pavan on October 1, 2010 at 3:35pm

Gopi I read it, but then I'll comment on that document ... very good ....

Just think of West Bengal one of the States situated in East of India. Attached document gives information on Bee floral calender of the state, in every district. If this document can be utilized the state can become honey bowl of the world. One can plan bee migration and production of uniflora honey. Why not we go ahead?



The natural Vegetation is almost disappeared from West Bengal. Yet forests of three distinct areas exist in the state. These are (i) the forests of the north, which include the mountain temperate forests and the tropical forests of the Duras, (ii) the deciduous forests of the plateau fringe and (iii) the mangrove forests of Sunderbans. The Sunderbans is a special type with predominant estuarial vegetation that is mainly of an evergreen type., Rhizophora conjugata, Soneratia apetala, Avicennia officinalis, Excoecaria agallocha, Sapium indicum, Casuarina equisetifolia, Nipa fruticans and Phoenix paludosa are dominant plants that provide bee forage. Sunderbans is thickly populated by the wild honey bee species, Apis dorsata, due to these sources and to good protection that is provided by thorny mangroves present in the swamps below.


Cultivated Vegetation
The intensity of agricultural cropping in the state is just the same as the average for India it is 16%. 70% percent of the total cultivated area occupies by paddy. Jute is the next important crop. Pulses including gram and peas cover hardly one-tenth of the cultivated land. Oil sedds occupies only trwo percent. Fruits of many types grown, in apples in Darjeeling, peach and pear in Kalimpong, Coconuts in 24, paraganas, Howrahand Midinapore; banana plantation in Singur and Chandernagore; Malda and Murshidabadare important producers of Mangoes; Litchi cultivated in 24, paraganos. Cultivation in Gangetic plains consists mainly of mustards, khesari, coriander, maize, orchards like coconuts, litchi, citrus, areca nut and rose-apple, provides good bee forage. plantations like Eucalyptus and Pongamia contribute to good honey production in this area. In addition, wild shrubs, herbs and vegetable crops (for seed production) provide forage that helps the development of beekeeping in the area.

Permalink Reply by GOPI KANTA GHOSH on October 1, 2010 at 3:42pm

I prepared such document for Orissa, Bihar and Jharkhan. In West Bengal Beekeeping is coming up well in clusters. I am connected with few clusters. Sunderbans do have potentiality of both Apiculture and hone collection. I am hopeful you will see changes. After retirement I am trying this way to help poor. Your good wishes will be my asset. Thanks Clicia...