“Beekeeper in Kenya Uses Bees to Protect Mangroves from Loggers”

The mangrove forests along the Indian Ocean coastline in Mombasa, Kenya, are under threat from illegal logging, climate change, rising seas, pollution, and urban development. Peter Nyongesa, a 69-year-old beekeeper, has taken it upon himself to protect these vital ecosystems by using bees as a natural deterrent against loggers.

Nyongesa, who has been beekeeping for 25 years, joined a local conservation group called Tulinde Mikoko in 2019. The group, which translates to “Let’s Protect Mangroves” in Swahili, has strategically placed beehives in the mangroves to deter loggers. The bees attack anyone attempting to cut down the trees, serving as silent guardians of the mangroves.

Mangroves play a crucial role in preventing erosion, absorbing the impact of severe weather events, and providing habitat for various species. However, more than half of the world’s mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Ecosystems.

In Kenya, efforts to conserve mangroves have been hindered by inadequate resources, but community initiatives like beekeeping are making a difference. Mangrove honey is not only a source of income for beekeepers like Nyongesa but also classified as top quality and medicinal due to the environment in which mangroves thrive.

The bees also play a vital role as pollinators, facilitating plant reproduction and contributing to the overall health of the mangrove ecosystem. According to Jared Bosire, project manager for the UNEP-Nairobi Convention, integrating livelihoods with conservation efforts is essential for the sustainable management of mangroves.

Kenya has 54,430 hectares of mangroves remaining, contributing $85 million per year to the national economy. Despite the challenges they face, initiatives like beekeeping offer hope for the future of these critical ecosystems in Mombasa and beyond.