Stingless beekeeping for sustainable livelihoods: Empowering rural communities in Karnataka, India

The study documents traditional knowledge and practices of stingless beekeeping (meliponiculture) among rural communities in southern Karnataka. Ethnographic surveys across four districts examined local taxonomy, traditional techniques, and the marketing of stingless bees and their hive products. The findings emphasize their role in pollination, medicinal applications, and terrace gardening, and highlight innovative, sustainable practices using locally available materials. The study underscores the need to promote meliponiculture to support livelihoods, conserve biodiversity, and preserve traditional knowledge in the region.