By Adeyemi Adekunle
Mombasa, Kenya – In the coastal city of Mombasa, a unique and innovative strategy has been adopted to combat the rampant logging of mangrove forests. Mangroves, vital for their role in preventing erosion and mitigating severe weather impacts, have been under threat from loggers who indiscriminately cut down these crucial trees for firewood and construction. However, a local conservation group has devised a creative and natural deterrent: bees.
Nyongesa, a 69-year-old local who has spent decades witnessing the devastation of mangrove forests, recalls his futile attempts to persuade loggers to be more selective in their cutting practices. “I would plead with them to spare the mangroves or at least cut only the mature ones, leaving the younger ones intact,” Nyongesa says. “But they would retort that the trees do not belong to anyone but God.”
Faced with the continuous destruction, Nyongesa turned to beekeeping as a means of protecting the mangroves. “When people realize that something is beneficial to them, they do not consider the harm that comes with it,” he explains. The beehives, hidden high in the mangrove branches, serve as silent guardians against the loggers.
The beehive initiative is part of a broader conservation effort led by the local group Tulinde Mikoko, which translates to “Let’s Protect Mangroves” in Swahili. Bibiana Nanjilula, the founder of Tulinde Mikoko, elaborates on the tactic: “We positioned the beehives at the peak where they can’t be spotted with ease. As such, when the loggers start cutting down whichever tree, the bees will attack due to the noise.”
This innovative approach leverages the natural behavior of bees to deter human activities that harm the environment. Nyongesa and other members of Tulinde Mikoko have strategically placed the beehives to maximize their deterrent effect. The buzzing guardians are not only protecting the mangroves but also contributing to the ecosystem’s health. As pollinators, bees play a critical role in the reproductive cycle of plants, including mangroves.
Jared Bosire, project manager for the UNEP-Nairobi Convention, underscores the dual benefits of this initiative. “The healthier the mangroves are, probably the more productive the honey production will be,” Bosire says. The symbiotic relationship between bees and mangroves enhances both conservation efforts and local livelihoods through honey production.
Nyongesa’s journey into beekeeping began 25 years ago, long before he realized the potential of bees as protectors of the mangroves. His involvement in the conservation effort started in earnest in 2019 when he joined Tulinde Mikoko. Since then, he has been instrumental in promoting the use of beehives as a natural deterrent to logging.
The impact of this approach, while challenging to measure in the dense and hard-to-access mangrove forests, is hoped to be significant. The local community’s response has been cautiously optimistic, with many appreciating the ingenuity of using nature to protect nature. This grassroots initiative demonstrates how traditional knowledge and modern conservation techniques can work hand in hand.
The beehive project in Mombasa serves as a model for other coastal regions facing similar environmental challenges. It highlights the importance of community involvement in conservation efforts and the potential for sustainable solutions that benefit both people and the environment.
As the sun sets over the mangrove-lined shores of Mombasa, the hidden beehives stand as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of local conservationists. The bees, buzzing quietly among the branches, symbolize a new era of environmental stewardship, where the natural world’s defenders are not just humans but the tiniest of creatures working in harmony to protect their habitat.
Nyongesa and his fellow conservationists continue to monitor the progress of their initiative, hoping that the deterrent effect of the bees will gradually reduce the logging activities. Their efforts reflect a broader movement towards sustainable and innovative conservation practices that can be adopted globally.
In the fight to save Kenya’s mangroves, hidden beehives represent more than just a deterrent. They are a beacon of hope, showcasing the power of local solutions to address global environmental challenges.
As the world grapples with the impacts of climate change and deforestation, Mombasa’s hidden beehives offer a unique and effective model for conservation, driven by the commitment and creativity of the local community.
