Apiculture Development within the Areas Adjacent to Aksu-Jabagly Reserve (Contribute to biodiversity conservation, including wild bees, on the north-east and south-east borders of Aksu-Jabagly Reserve by means of zoning of bees natural habitat, and construction of long duration artificial nests, and creation conditions for profitable apiculture development) (kaz/06/35)

Project Details & Results

The project area is located on the territory of the South-West Tien Shan Mountains near to the Aksu-Zhabagly National Reserve. This region possesses a unique biological diversity of a global significance. One of the threats at the moment is a strong reduction of wild bees, which are unique as they are pollinate many kinds of plants and play a significant role in preservation of vegetative biodiversity of the mountains.

At the same time, beekeeping which could compensate reduction of wild bees has reduced itself in the region several times. Beekeepers do not have sufficient experience in bees care and pest control. The breeding work isn’t conducted.

The basic idea of the project contains two directions: 1) creation of favorable conditions for development of population of wild bees on the reserve security zone through construction of artificial nests; 2) development of highly remunerative apiculture on the foothill and mountain zones.

The territory of Karatobe rural district of Tolebi area has been chosen as a kernel of the target project territory as it has unique opportunities for organization of a breeding zone.

Project tasks:
1. Zoning of territories with participation of scientific departments of the Aksu-Zhasbagly Reserve, and construction of capital long-term artificial nests for wild-bees
2. Creating of apiculture facilities with a mobile material resources for 250 beehive, a laboratory, a selection department, veterinary service and constantly operating information centre.
3. Holding one-day seminar and a cycle of 4 seminars-trainings for beekeepers and other interested parties
4. Carrying out information campaign

Expected results
- Conditions for wild bees’ reproduction are created: 30 long-term artificial constructions (for more than 400 nests, for not less than 12 thousand jacks) for wild bees are constructed and placed on the project territory
- apiculture facilities, supplying beekeepers of the area with a highly remunerative breed is created
- Negative pressure on natural resources is decreased due to raising of profitableness of beekeeping facilities for 25% and expanding a number of beekeeping facilities on the project territory for 30%.

Notable Community Participation
More that 30 local community members will take part in the project realization. Representatives of local population will actively participate in seminars and will get knowledge and practical skills of apiculture business. Local people will be also involved into manufacturing of artificial nests for bees.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
Local community members will have an opportunity to expand bees livestock in their own facilities. This will allow to get more honey and beekeeping products, and will raise incomes accordingly.

Gender Focus
Women will play important role in project realization and later will benefit from its success. In any case no gender discrimination will not be done within the project.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
Training programme (for at least 80 person) will be arranged, publications in mass-media (8 articles) will be published, booklet (1500 items) will be distributed, quarterly newsletter (100 copies) will be issued, presentations (not less than 5) with participation of public and local authorities, mass-media representatives will be organized

Project Results
Project was successfully implemented. Training programs and information campaign were conducted. 17 families benefited from project realization. The first bee breeding center was organized in South Kazakhstan. It provides high quality bees for whole region and thus stimulates honey production and mountain BD rehabilitation in the region

Project base