Indo-Australia explore ways to enhance research on Stingless bees
The visiting Scientists with AICRP (HB&P), SASRD, Medziphema team and Patrick Zeliang, Peren district Incharge, NBHM, together alongside Beekeepers of Old Jalukie. (Photo Courtesy: SASRD NU)
Dimapur, November 25 (MExN): A team of three scientists from Western Sydney University, Australia, visited Nagaland during November 21 to 24 as part of the Indo-Australian collaboration on Stingless bees through AICRP (HB&P), ICAR, New Delhi.
The team comprised of Prof Dr Robert Spooner-Hart, Dr James Makinson and Dr Amy-Marie Gilpin, all from Western Sydney University, Australia.
A press release issued by SASRD, NU, Medziphema stated that the purpose of their visit was to explore possibilities for further collaboration between the universities on student exchange programme and to enhance the research on Stingless bees in India with reference to pollination management under protected conditions, floral resource management and pollination in respect to fruits and vegetable crops as also conservation of pollinators.
The team, hosted and guided by All India Coordinated Research Project on Honey bees and Pollinators, i.e. AICRP (HB&P), SASRD, NU, Medziphema, undertook tours to Stingless bee hotspots of Peren and Dimapur districts like NBHM Museum; Old Jalukie, Sec-C; Punglwa village; Medziphema village; Medziphema Town, etc. in coordination with Nagaland Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) besides visiting Central Institute of Horticulture, Medziphema, and National Research Centre on Mithun, Khanakhurü, Medziphema.
In their valedictory message, the team expressed contentment and gratitude to all Naga beekeepers committed in their efforts of rearing Stingless bees down the ages, even if traditionally.
While thanking Dr HK Singh, Scientist Incharge, AICRP (HB&P) SASRD, NU and his staff including Dr. Avinash Chauhan, Asst. Scientist; Otto S. Awomi, Proffessional; Ngukho, Bee Professional; Akumtoshi Aier, Office Assistant; Thejanilie Miasalhou, Para Apiarist & Lakhan, Field Worker, for their relentless pursuit to propagate advantages of scientific beekeeping, they lauded the sincere and dedicated trials and all-round efforts to develop scientific Stingless beekeeping in Nagaland.
The team who also visited NBHM Museum, Dimapur, acknowledged Team Leader and all members, particularly Patrick, Peren district Incharge, NBHM, for their zest in promoting scientific beekeeping among villagers. They expressed hope that the collaboration will have much impact through indepth studies and exchanges in the future.
