Farmers’ Perception on Insect Pollinators Decline and Conservation Methods in Himachal Himalaya, India

Insect pollinators are important for the sustainability of agriculture and other natural ecosystems. Many insects such as bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, moths and beetles are main pollinators of many fruit crops. The climate well as soil of Himachal Pradesh is apt for growing many kinds of fruit crops but in the last few years, produce and quality of fruit crops is decreasing due to lack of sufficient pollination. This study was conducted to assess the pollinator declining factors and farmers’ perception in respect of pollinator conservation and management methods in Himachal Himalaya. The diversity and distribution of insect pollinators is declining due to many threatening factors observed in Himachal Himalaya. These factors include: loss of insect habitats; pests and diseases of honey bees; use of pesticides; cell phone radiations; environmental pollution; susceptibility to climate change; impact of introduced species; escalation in mono-cropping; livestock grazing and mowing; forest fires; ruthless honey hunting and introduction of exotic honey bees.

The farmers are practicing here apiculture as a part time as well as whole time profession although there are different types of constraints such as lack of all-season bee forage, heavy snowfall, paucity of labour, honey bee absconding and meager knowledge of medicines. Majority of the farmers expect to have financial help for various horticultural works, management technology and training activities. The farmers have knowledge about different aspects of honey production, processing, storage and marketing. But only a few farmers are aware about different pests, predators and diseases of honey bees as well as their remedial measures. To minimize the effect of pesticides, majority of farmers sprayed them in the morning and during nonflowering session.