Madikeri: Honey is one of the most important produce in Kodagu district over centuries. People succeeded to semi-domesticate the insects and harvest honey by contriving for bee swarms to nest in artificial hives. The artificial hives made of many frames were aligned in an enclosure and mouth watering honey used to reach the markets. In the wild, it was a common feature to find plenty of bee hives in trees. The buzz in serene forests helped the tribal to eke out a living.

Today, the scenario has changed. The reasons could be many. Massive urbanization, ecological imbalance, extensive use of pesticides in farming, deforestation has affected the vast existence of bees especially in the last two decades. The buzz is not heard in Kodagu and the bee keepers who once thrived on the trade now have discarded the enclosures meant for harvesting honey.

The produce has great demand in cooking, baking, desserts and even in alcoholic beverages. Its nutrition value and medicinal features makes it a household item and the little children long to taste a spoon of honey every time they sit on the dining table.

Today, people have little interest in this business. Places like Birunani, Talacauvery and Shantahalli where lot of honey was produced, has little output as a disease has stuck the bees, thereby eliminating most of them. The co-operatives and the information centres have vanished with the changing times. Days are not too far away when the original honey will be replaced by adulterated version in the markets.

The buzz, bees and the beehives will never be found if the current situation continues.