Development of beekeeping in 19 communities located in buffer zone of "Arpi Lich" National Park

Project Details & Results

The project plans to address the livelihood and environmental issues by promoting beekeeping in 19 communities located in the buffer zone of “Lake Arpi” National Park.  Within the project activities a beekeeping support centre will be established which will provide hives with 5 bee colonies to 30 socially vulnerable beneficiaries of 19 communities. Every year the number of bee colonies and beneficiary families will increase due to this centre.  Moreover, the centre will ensure honey packing and sale.

It is anticipated to promote beekeeping which will directly influence the protection of flora and the reduction of land degradation.
The project objective is to promote beekeeping as biodiversity conservation tool and reduce the intensive growth of cattle which is the main cause of land degradation. Besides the project will promote the improvement of agro-ecosystem services of the National Park and adjacent areas (21.179 ha).
 It is also anticipated to establish the “Lake Arpi Beekeepers Support Center” which will involve communities, beekeepers, facilitate honey processing and sale, monitoring of genetics and bee sicknesses.  
The goal of the project is to mitigate the negative impact on biodiversity of the newly established “Lake Arpi” National Park through promoting beekeeping in communities located in the buffer zone.

Expected project results are:

• 30 beneficiary families are engaged in beekeeping in 19 communities located in the buffer zone of “Lake Arpi” National Park,
• The livelihood of 30 beneficiary families in 19 communities is improved, the long term stable income is ensured,
• “Lake Arpi Beekeepers Support Center” is established which provides vet services for disease monitoring, oversees the hive transfer, honey processing and sale,
• The members of 19 communities of the National Park buffer zone have increased their awareness on important and valuable biodiversity species and have gained experience in beekeeping,
• Within the frames of the project corresponding information materials, guidelines are published.