ITANAGAR, Feb 21: The G B Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, North East Regional Centre (GBPNIHE–NERC), in collaboration with the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), successfully organised a one-day training-cum-awareness programme on ‘Promotion of Climate-Resilient Beekeeping for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods’ under the HI-REAP project titled ‘Scaling Ecosystem-based Approaches in the Indian Himalayan Region for Climate Adaptation and Biodiversity Resilience’.
Held at Ziro in Lower Subansiri district with the participation of 15 local women and youths, the training focused on equipping trainees with practical knowledge and hands-on skills in sustainable and climate-resilient beekeeping practices. Field demonstrations were conducted to enhance technical understanding and promote scientific apiculture methods suited to the Himalayan ecosystem.
The event was coordinated by Tridipa Biswas, Scientist-C, GBPNIHE–NERC, who highlighted the critical role of beekeeping in strengthening climate-adaptive rural livelihoods. She emphasized that beekeeping is a low-investment, high-return livelihood option that supports biodiversity conservation and enhances agricultural productivity through pollination services. She reiterated the institute’s commitment to empowering local communities through scientific capacity-building initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Representing KVIC, Sankalpa Bhattacharya, Junior Executive (Administration & HR) provided 100 bee boxes with live colonies along with essential beekeeping toolkits to 10 selected beneficiaries. In his message, he underscored the transformative potential of beekeeping in rural economic development and assured continued technical guidance and future training opportunities.
The programme received strong local support from Rubu Tadii, ZPM and noted social worker, who encouraged beneficiaries to actively engage in the initiative and assured assistance for future activities.
Ngilyang Oka, Chairperson of Pakarchi SHG, along with beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to GBPNIHE–NERC and KVIC for the support and requested continued training and capacity-building programmes to strengthen livelihood security in the region.
The initiative underscored the importance of beekeeping in enhancing rural incomes, conserving biodiversity, and promoting climate resilience in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.