The innovative project RE-HAB (Reducing Elephant-Human Attacks using Bees) has recently been launched in Karnataka, India. The concept involves installing bee boxes around the borders of forests and neighbouring villages to help reduce instances of dangerous conflict between humans and elephants. This initiative is particularly crucial in areas located on the outskirts of Nagarahole National Park and Tiger Reserve – a known hotspot for such conflicts.
The Function and Purpose of RE-HAB
RE-HAB’s primary purpose is to create what are known as “bee fences.” These fences discourage elephants from encroaching into human territories while ensuring that the gentle giants are not harmed in any way. This system is incredibly cost-effective when compared to other methods of mitigating elephant-human conflict, such as trench digging or erecting physical fences.
Benefits of RE-HAB
Beyond achieving its primary goal of reducing conflict, RE-HAB also stands to boost local honey production and subsequently increase farmers’ income. This dual-purpose initiative cultivates an environment where both humans and bees can thrive, fostering a dynamic win-win situation for all parties involved.
The Implementing Body
The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), an initiative under the KVIC’s National Honey Mission, spearheads this project. As part of their mission, the KVIC launched the Honey Mission in August 2017. This venture was created to provide education, training, and bee colonies with boxes to local farmers. The launch of the Honey Mission marked another step in realising the ‘Sweet Revolution’, an initiative launched in 2016 aimed at promoting beekeeping activities.
Nagarahole National Park
Also referred to as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Nagarhole was initially classified as a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 before being upgraded to a national park in 1988. In 1999, it was designated as the 37th Tiger reserve under Project Tiger in India. Currently, there are a total of 51 Tiger reserves across India. The park is part of the Western Ghats region and is included in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
The Nagarahole River, which serves as the park’s lifeblood, flows through it before merging with the Kabini River. This confluence also demarcates the boundary between Nagarhole and Bandipur National Park. The park boasts a lush variety of moist deciduous forests, dominated primarily by teak and rosewood trees.
Wildlife in Nagarhole National Park
Home to an array of fauna, the park houses Asian elephants, chital (spotted deer), Indian mouse deer, gaur, stripe-necked and ruddy mongooses, grey langur, bonnet macaque, Asian wild dogs, leopards, tigers, sloth bears, and more. These diverse inhabitants further underline the importance of maintaining peace and stability within the park while ensuring the safety of surrounding human populations.
About KVIC
The Khadi and Village Industries Commission or KVIC is a statutory organisation established under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956. The body is responsible for planning, promoting, organising, and implementing programmes that spur the development of Khadi and other village industries within rural areas. It functions under the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises and often works in tandem with other rural development agencies.