Promoting meliponiculture for sustainable development and forest conservation in Chongoyape and Tocmoche
The Private Conservation Area (ACP) La Huerta de Chaparrí and VISION 2050 are working together on the formulation and implementation of the project “La Ruta del Oso y la Miel” (“The Bear and Honey Route”) with the objective of providing the community members of Tocmoche, Chongoyape and the North Amazonian zone of Peru with the supplies, tools and training to preserve the Melipona bees and use their products as an additional, profitable and sustainable source of income to contribute to the conservation of the forests of this macro-region. Below we present the progress of the project.
CURRENT SITUATION
In the communities of Chongoyape (Lambayeque) and Tocmoche (Cajamarca), different anthropic activities -such as deforestation, the indiscriminate felling and burning of trees, mining and the excessive use of agrochemicals, among others- have triggered an ecological imbalance, to the point that natural resources are being lost, reducing forest cover to a small fraction of what the original dry forests were.
Native stingless bees are one of the main species affected by the current situation. They are taxonomically classified within the tribe Meliponini (Hymenoptera, Apoidea), and are one of many groups of bees native to the Americas. As native bees create their hives in cavities in the high part of local trees, trees are cut down to harvest the honey with damaging consequences for the environment.
Bees are considered one of the most important biological groups on the planet and on which the survival of the human species and other wild organisms depend. Thanks to bees it is possible to enjoy most of the foods that are currently consumed, since they are responsible for pollinating between 60 and 80% of the forest vegetation, thus balancing the ecosystem in general.
In the communities of Chongoyape and Tocmoche this problem is increasingly evident, mainly due to deforestation for the implementation of pastures for extensive cattle ranching, which has led to the loss of large areas of natural forests and native biodiversity. Although livestock farming contributes significantly to the economy of these communities, it has a very negative environmental impact, which is why it is important to promote alternatives for sustainable economic production in consultation with the families of the community members and young people, focused on the rational use and protection of natural heritage.
“Without forest there are no bees and without bees there is no forest”
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The project aims to ensure the conservation of biodiversity and the forest in general through the development of meliponiculture as a productive, profitable and sustainable activity for the communities of the region.
The project will:
- generate economic income for the populations of the macro-region as a result of their conservation actions;
- indirectly provide a variety of plants and wild fruits to the Andean bear, the white-winged guan, the porcupine, the highland tapir and the fauna in general through pollination. This process also makes it possible to restore the food chain of carnivores, birds of prey and scavengers such as the Andean condor;
- restore the forest as a producer of water and other ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, and,
- take actions to adapt to climate change and global warming.
Meliponiculture is the breeding and management of native bees and is an economically viable, simple and compatible activity with other rural and urban productive activities. It is similar to beekeeping with some difference given the nature of native bee hives, which cannot use commercial hives developed for beekeeping.
It should be noted that honey from native bees (called “tree honey”) has very high prices compared to common honey (produced by Apis mellifera). This is due to its scarcity, low supply, and properties that are considered medicinal.
Therefore, meliponiculture emerges as an alternative for supplementary income for rural families in the region. It will be key for the recovery of certain areas with sparse vegetation and for the pollination processes of the surrounding forests. It can play a very important role in the commercialization of high-quality natural products, thus contributing to the sustainable development and well-being of the communities in the region. The use of beehive by-products such as honey, propolis, wax and pollen, as an alternative source of income for the family group, contributes to an eco-sustainable business strategy.
By preserving bees and forests, the biodiversity of the dry forest is protected, which includes fauna and flora threatened by the expansion of the agricultural frontier, roads, mining and, above all, extensive livestock. This is the case of the Andean or spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), the white-winged guan (Penelope albipennis), the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), the porcupine (Coendou rufescens), the high-altitude tapir (Tapirus pinchaque), and plant species such as the quina tree (Cinchona officinalis), the palo santo (Bursera graveolens), the carob tree (Prosopis pallida) and the hualtaco (Loxopterigium husango), among others. This process makes it possible to restore even the food chain of carnivorous, predatory and scavenger species such as the Andean condor. In total, there are more than 300 species of birds, 20 mammals, 15 reptiles, 10 amphibians, fish, and 300 plant species that make up a highly endemic biological corridor that generates ecosystem services such as carbon capture and freshwater production for the Chancay and La Leche river basins.
Meliponiculture is valued as an ancestral and environmentally friendly form of production, contributing to achieving food security. The rescue of this ancestral practice in the region contributes to a greater identification of the communities with the project and ensures its success.
RESULTS
The following results will be achieved through the project:
- The communities improve their living conditions through the development of their economy, thanks to meliponiculture, the construction of beehives and a basic technical irrigation module to reforest the area surrounding the beehives.
- The communities participate in improving the conservation of flora and fauna species and of the dry forest in general, through participatory workshops between the population and experts in conservation and sustainable production, including techniques for the conservation of native flora and fauna and in particular of the species identified as symbiotic with native bees.
- The biomass, wild fruits and fauna of the dry forest increase through pollination.
- Regional and local government entities take actions that support communities and the development of meliponiculture and combat climate change.
PROJECT AREA
The project area (see map) includes conservation areas, peasant communities, sectors, associations, private companies and individuals who voluntarily wish to participate. The participation of 100 beneficiary families is expected at the end of the project.
DURATION
Given the need for a study phase, information gathering and population participation, and the time required to establish hives and achieve their production in marketable volumes, the project is carried out in two phases. The first phase lasts 24 months, and the second phase lasts 36 months, for a total duration of the project of five years.
TEAM
The project is a joint initiative of the ACP La Huerta de Chaparrí, VISION 2050, Bioparc (France) and Tu Tierra Association. It is also expected to count on the participation of the regional government and local governments, as well as academic entities and micro and small companies.
Tu Tierra association and Bioparc have provided resources to initiate activities, including the construction of demonstration meliponaria in the project area.
VISION 2050 has contributed to the formulation of the project, within the framework of the agreement with the ACP La Huerta de Chaparrí , and is channeling the participation of academic entities related to the production and marketing of melipona honey. In addition, VISION 2050 is carrying out fundraising activities to finance the project activities.
INFORMATION
In order to meet the objectives of the project, additional funds are needed. For this reason, we accept collaborations and voluntary donations. If you need more information on how you could collaborate, contact us at info@vision2050.org.pe and we will send you the information.
Published on 5 December 2022