Keystone Foundation (Snehlata Nath, Pratim Roy, Mathew John & Robert Leo)

2001 138 pages (K305)

Keystone is a partner organisation of Bees for Development working in Tamil Nadu in southern India. The forested hills of Tamil Nadu are rich in tropical diversity and home to many indigenous and rare species of plants and animals. Honey hunting is a traditional part of life for people living in these hills. Keystone undertook to discover the various honey hunting groups and to document what they do with the harvested honey and beeswax. They revealed a range of development issues related to changes in traditions, in the economy and in the accessibility of the hill areas.

Honey hunting and beekeeping in Tamil Nadu have been affected drastically by ecological changes. The book discusses appropriate ways to help. The survey is highly commended for the unique information it presents.