Beekeepers suffer loss due to floods in Ratnanagar

Narayangadh (Chitwan), July 15

The flood triggered by incessant rainfall that occurred for some days has caused a significant loss to beekeeping at Ratnanagar, Chitwan. Beehives kept on the pastures of Manikhola and Lalparsa area were swept away by the floods, resulting in a loss of some Rs 6 million.

Chief of Agriculture Development Section at Rantanagar Municipality, Prabin Lama, informed that the beehives kept in Manikhola and Lalparasa of Padmakanya Community Forest were swept away by the flood on Monday. Most of the hives had the combs ready for honey extraction, so it was a huge loss to the farmers.

Those facing damage were beekeepers Shankar Bhatta (250 beehives), Roshan BK (70 hives), and Dinesh Dhakal (95 hives), according to Lama. Although some beehives could be recovered, most of the bee colonies were destroyed. Others to lose the business are Lok Prasad Parajuli (90 beehives), Dipak Thapa (90 beehives), and Yek Bahadur Gurung (90 beehives). Among these, nearly 25 beehives were destroyed in the disaster.

As the water flow was still high, actual details of loss are yet to be collected. A beehive costs Rs 10,000 on average. Every hive could produce four to five kgs of honey as it was harvesting time. Lama informed, “We have estimated the compensation of at least Rs 6 million to the farmers in the initial phase.” The municipality will conduct a detailed study later.