Summary:
Mysuru: Forest department authorities are actively promoting honey bee farming in Mysuru.Under a special scheme, office of deputy conservator of forests, Hunsur division, will distribute honey bee farming boxes to beneficiaries from SC/ST communities in Hunsur, Periyapatna and KR Nagar as these areas have thick forest cover. This year, the forest department is providing about 500 hives at a cost of Rs 15 lakh.Hunsur DCF Vijaykumar said: “We have floated tenders for supply of honey bee hives to be distributed. A few individuals sell honey by the roadside but it’s contaminated with jaggery syrup and other ingredients.”Paramesh also conducts training programmes to encourage people to take up bee keeping in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar regions. This is to encourage people to take up bee keeping.For the first time in the recent past, the department is helping giving people hives. Some sell honey for Rs 800-900 per kg..