VZCZCXRO8253
RR RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHLH RUEHNEH
DE RUEHKT #0379 1270346
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 070346Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0141
INFO RUEAEPA/EPA WASHDC 0049
RUEHRC/USDA WASHDC
RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 7265
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 2587
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 5309
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 3020
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6946
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 3042
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 4593
RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE 0314
RUEHNEH/AMCONSUL HYDERABAD 0020
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 4004

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000379 
 
DEPT FOR OES/PCI, OES/ENRC, SCA/INS, SCA/RA 
USAID FOR ANE/SAA 
EPA FOR OIA FREEMAN 
USDA FOR ARS, FS, AND APHIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
REF: 07 KATHMANDU 731 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: SENV TBIO EAGR XD NP
SUBJECT: HARD TIMES FOR SOUTH ASIA'S HONEY BEES 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1. An eight-month drought in Nepal has reduced honey production by 
half and will contribute to rising prices of edible oil during the 
monsoon season.  Although generally not affected by colony collapse 
disorder (CCD), honey bees in South Asia have to contend with an 
increasing population of parasitic mites and the uncertain effects 
of the growing Atmospheric Brown Cloud (ABC) covering South Asia. 
 
What's Hurting South Asia's Bees? 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶2. In a recent discussion with one of South Asia's leading 
apiologists, the Regional Environmental Officer (REO) learned that 
the region's bees are experiencing hard times due to the effects of 
an eight-month drought, parasitic mites, and the ABC.  In Nepal, 
where bee keepers have lost 50 percent of their honey crop, these 
conditions will lead to a sharp fall in mustard seed production and 
a rise in imports and prices of edible oils.  However, with enough 
rain the bee population can recover relatively quickly and, in fact, 
Nepal's bees are in better shape than bees in many other parts of 
South Asia. 
 
¶3. In Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Indian states of Punjab and 
Haryana, parasitic varroa mites have destroyed 70 percent of the bee 
populations.  Bees introduced from Europe are particularly 
vulnerable to these mites which are a spreading menace.  Indigenous 
bee species adapt by leaving their hives when mites are present in 
large numbers.  Mites can also be controlled with formic acid, a 
highly toxic chemical which is in use in Nepal, but is not widely 
used in other South Asian countries. 
 
¶4. Colony collapse disorder (CCD) has appeared in Afghanistan where 
it is linked to imports of artificial bees wax containing harmful 
bacterial spores.  CCD is not present in other South Asian countries 
although some farmers do practice migratory bee keeping, which has 
been associated with widespread CCD in the United States.  The layer 
of soot that builds up in the atmosphere over South Asia in the dry 
season, known as the ABC, may also be a factor in the decline of the 
region's bee populations.  ABC tends to keep bees in their hives 
leading apiologists to suspect that bees are unable to orient 
themselves.  The effect of forest fires on bee behavior is also not 
clear. 
 
Bee Research 
------------ 
 
¶5. There are several other areas of apiological research relevant to 
South Asia.  Quantifying the contribution of bees to maintaining 
healthy, productive ecosystems is an aspect of the discussion of 
payment for environmental services.  Payments for protecting the 
natural environment can provide a much needed source of income to 
rural communities, especially when their livelihoods depend heavily 
on the environment.  Scientists are also studying the stomachs of 
bees to identify beneficial bacteria and ways to stimulate its 
growth.  More beneficial bacteria could lead to a greater honey 
harvests.  In addition, the Kathmandu-based International Center for 
Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is working with South Asian 
governments to improve honey production methods with a goal of 
increasing exports. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶6. Additional research and management practices are necessary to 
improve South Asia's honey bee industry.  For example, Nepal, which 
produced 1,400 metric tons of honey in 2008, has the potential to 
produce 7,000 metric tons according to experts.  However, honey is 
not the most valuable product derived from bees.  As pollinators, 
they are essential to maintaining the rich biodiversity of the South 
Asian subcontinent. 
 
POWELL