PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed the authorities to focus on the plantation of ‘3 B’ – bird friendly, bee friendly and butterfly friendly- varieties in plantation drives during World Environment Day, Harela and other programmes. He said that Uttarakhand holds immense potential for promoting honey production especially in the mountainous and forested areas.
The CM observed the honey extraction process by the employees of the Horticulture department at his residence on Saturday. This year 520 kilogrammes of honey was produced at the Chief Minister’s residence compound in just 45 days.
The CM directed the department to prepare an effective policy to be developed for the establishment of bee boxes in forest areas, providing employment opportunities to local residents. He also stated that beekeeping will be prioritized under the Mukhyamantri Swarojgar Yojana and special subsidies will be provided to farmers and entrepreneurs involved in the project.
Dhami said that beekeeping will be further encouraged in the state’s mountainous regions and efforts will be made to integrate it into the rural economy. Describing beekeeping as a powerful means of self-employment, he said it will not only increase local incomes but also promote environmental protection.
The CM also directed the incharge of the garden of his official residence Deepak Purohit to plant flowering and pollinating plants suitable for year-round honey production in the garden. He said that work should also be initiated towards the creation of a 3-B garden.
