A promising honey production season ahead also comes as a grim reminder of the aboriginal tribes in Adilabad losing a prime source of their supplemental income. The Kolams, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), among all the Adivasis in this district used to earn handsomely through collection of honey during summer months.
“The honey collection activity is decreasing progressively in Adilabad district. Of the 650 quintals of honey purchased by our Corporation so far this year, only a little has come from the tribal areas of Adilabad,” reveals Girijana Cooperative Corporation, Utnoor Divisional Manager D. Kailashagiri in order to underscore the fact that tribals are being removed from their traditional livelihoods.
According to officials of the GCC, not many Kolams come to the weekly shandies to sell honey these days. The GCC team which was at Gadiguda in Narnoor mandal on Thursday to purchase honey could do little business.
The GCC however, expects its honey purchase to go up to 750 quintals in the coming season. “Much of it will come from Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts,” Mr. Kailashagiri added.
The poor incidence of honey collection in Adilabad is also a result of the peculiar weather conditions prevailing these days. "If there is unseasonal rainfall, the bees will use up all the honey they make," The GCC official states. Hundreds of honeycombs can be seen on trees in the agency areas of Adilabad currently as there is no dearth of nectar for the bees. The profusely flowering modugu or palash trees (Butea monosperma) and the silk cotton or kapok trees (Ceiba pentandra) are aiding honey production in the district.
Kolams who earn well through honey collection during summer are yet to visit shandies with commodity
