Lamu mangrove loggers have embraced Apiculture commonly known as beekeeping as a strategy to reduce pressure and over-exploitation of mangrove forests and the general marine ecosystem.
Apiculture is the science of raising or maintaining colonies of bees and their hives (beekeeping).
It includes the use of man-made beehives where honey bees in the genus Apis are the most commonly kept species but other honey-producing bees such as Melipona stingless bees are also kept.
Through the Pate Resources and Tourism Initiative-PRATI, a community and youth-led organization situated on Pate Island, Lamu East, the loggers are undertaking the venture deep inside the mangrove forests.
The 34-member group has chosen the Chukuchu area, a renowned mangrove degraded site where their first restoration in 2018 failed, as their perfect bee-rearing site.
The group has erected beehives within the few available mangrove forests in a move aimed at creating alternative livelihoods for the Bajuni community who are famously known for fishing and logging.
Group treasurer Swaleh Abdalla noted that the introduction of beekeeping as an alternative income-generator has greatly helped curb further exploitation of the indigenous forest cover while at the same time, boosting the fish population in the Indian Ocean.
He acknowledged interventions by Wetlands International, a global not-for-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wetlands, for providing them with the requisite knowledge and tools for for apiculture in 2022.
“PRATI began practicing apiculture and mangrove restoration activities in early 2018 and had only 10 hives. Most of our honey was sold locally, mainly for medicinal purposes. With support from Wetlands International, we received special training in 2022 which has been of great benefit,” said Abdalla.
After the training however,PRATI received 50 modern hives from Wetlands International and other necessary equipment to facilitate honey harvesting and processing.
“Three years down the line, we can now sell mangrove honey for profit. Many of us no longer depend on either fishing or mangrove logging for livelihood,” said Abdalla.
The group has also embarked on campaigns to encourage the community to conserve and restore mangroves by embracing apiculture as an income generator.
“PRATI as a group has become a platform of knowledge on matter mangrove conservation and restoration. We are proof that there are alternatives to livelihoods that don’t have to include cutting down mangroves,”said group member Mohamed Hassan.
As a result of their activities in mangrove conservation and alternative livelihoods,PRATI has directly contributed to the reduced destructive activities among the community by over 90 percent.
“Mangrove forests are vital for the Lamu Community. They provide favorable fish breeding grounds. That means once degraded, fish in the Indian Ocean will be reduced. That’s where we come in with our campaigns on conservation and restoration,”said Husna Bakari.
Wetlands International Project Officer Shawlet Cherono observed that aside from mangrove and fish harvesting and trade, the local community is already exploring beekeeping, a sustainable venture that supplements their revenue.
“We provided the knowledge and we’re happy that they’re embracing it. Our key target is to undertake effective conservation but at the same time, to enhance alternative sources of income, particularly of the Lamu communities now that they’re fully dependent on mangroves,” said Cherono.
Lamu County Forest Conservator of the Kenya Forest Service-KFS, Samuel Lodiro, lauded the efforts by the various conservation bodies in ensuring Lamu Mangrove Forest cover remains intact, adding that Africa’s mangroves provide immense riches to those abreast with conservation.
“Unfortunately, they’re burdened by competing demands from people. Over-exploitation is placing significant stress on these ecosystems, threatening their productivity and the potential for sustainable economic growth,” said Lodiro.
The conservator observed that despite centuries of harvesting, Lamu County still holds the largest mangrove cover in Kenya, standing at over 60 per cent.
According to the National Mangrove Ecosystem Management Plan 2017-2027, Lamu has five mangrove management units, with Pate Island Swamps comprising Pate Island, Shindabwe, Kizingitini, and Chongoni, making up 26 per cent of Lamu’s mangroves.