Foothills of Pavagarh

Exploring the Foothills of Pavagadh: A Journey into Nature and Bee Farming

On September 1, 2019, just a week after our trip to Patna, we set out to explore the breathtaking foothills of Pavagadh, home to the revered Mahakali Temple, visited by millions. The untouched Halol and Jambughoda regions, rich in lush green vegetation, remain relatively unexplored. With Pavagadh as the backdrop, the scenery felt like nature’s embrace, full of life and greenery. Much of the area falls under protected forest zones, adding to its untouched beauty.

A Guided Exploration

To truly experience the region, a local guide is essential. We were fortunate to have NM Patel from OM Research & Foundation Trust, Derol Gam, accompany us. His deep knowledge of the area’s topography and wildlife made our journey even more insightful.

Promoting Bee Farming Among Local Farmers

Our visit focused on interacting with farmers and introducing the benefits of bee farming. Most farmers in the area grow Desi Kapas (indigenous cotton), unaware that bees collect nectar from the back of kapas leaves. This nectar attracts harmful insects, leading to pest infestations and the increased use of pesticides.

We explained that bees play a crucial role in protecting crops by:

Working around the clock to remove nectar, leaving no food source for harmful insects.
Producing a humming sound that keeps wild boars (jungali pigs) away, preventing crop damage.

Encouraging Crop Diversification

To support sustainable agriculture, we discussed crop rotation with farmers and recommended:

Growing sesame (Til) as an alternative crop to improve soil fertility and provide food for bees.
Cultivating fennel (Sounf) after cotton, which would allow the production of fennel-infused honey.

Since many farmers had no experience growing sesame, we encouraged them to start on a small scale as an experiment.