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Published:
Oct 5, 2017Keywords:
Traditional beekeeping Participatory Forest Management Mgori Tanzania
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Impact of traditional beekeeping on Mgori Village Land Forest Reserve in Singida District, Tanzania
Abstract
A study was conducted in villages around
Mgori Village Land Forest Reserve
(VLFR), Singida District in Tanzania to
assess the impact of traditional beekeeping
on the condition of forest resources. Data
collection involved participatory rural
appraisal, questionnaire survey and forest
inventory. Data was analysed using
Statistical Package for Social Sciences and
Ms Excel. The Shannon-Wiener index was
used to analyse evenness in species
diversity. Results indicated that the
majority of households practice traditional
beekeeping using log hives. There is no
proper management system of traditional
beekeeping apart from regular forest
patrols. The majority (82%) of respondents
viewed traditional beekeeping as an
effective way of managing forest resources
as it helps to protect the forest against
destruction and results in increased plant
productivity through pollination. Results
further showed that although not
statistically significant (p>0.05), sites
where beekeeping was practiced had more
stems per hectare (ha) for dbh ≤10 cm
compared to sites where there was no
beekeeping implying high regeneration of
species due to minimal disturbances in
beekeeping sites. Forest destruction,
decreasing bee forages and drought were
identified to be the main threats to
traditional beekeeping. If well
implemented, traditional beekeeping can
be a tool for sustainable forest
management. The need to promote best
beekeeping practices which contribute to
sustainable forest management in the area
and beyond is recommended.
Mgori Village Land Forest Reserve
(VLFR), Singida District in Tanzania to
assess the impact of traditional beekeeping
on the condition of forest resources. Data
collection involved participatory rural
appraisal, questionnaire survey and forest
inventory. Data was analysed using
Statistical Package for Social Sciences and
Ms Excel. The Shannon-Wiener index was
used to analyse evenness in species
diversity. Results indicated that the
majority of households practice traditional
beekeeping using log hives. There is no
proper management system of traditional
beekeeping apart from regular forest
patrols. The majority (82%) of respondents
viewed traditional beekeeping as an
effective way of managing forest resources
as it helps to protect the forest against
destruction and results in increased plant
productivity through pollination. Results
further showed that although not
statistically significant (p>0.05), sites
where beekeeping was practiced had more
stems per hectare (ha) for dbh ≤10 cm
compared to sites where there was no
beekeeping implying high regeneration of
species due to minimal disturbances in
beekeeping sites. Forest destruction,
decreasing bee forages and drought were
identified to be the main threats to
traditional beekeeping. If well
implemented, traditional beekeeping can
be a tool for sustainable forest
management. The need to promote best
beekeeping practices which contribute to
sustainable forest management in the area
and beyond is recommended.
