Mahableshwar, located about 4,500 feet above sea level on the Sahyadri mountain spurs and famous for its strawberries, is a popular honeymoon destination. The Maharashtra government has now decided to sweeten the attractive former summer capital of the Old Bombay Presidency.
Manghar will be developed as a "Honey Village" by the Maharashtra government. Almost every household in this village has traditionally been involved in beekeeping.
The state government will now provide all necessary assistance to boost honey production and encourage tourism. The village is only a few kilometres from Mahableshwar, and the government is confident that tourists will flock there, boosting the local economy.
State Industry Minister Subhash Desai stated that this is a first-of-its-kind Honey Village project that will promote beekeeping and aid in environmental conservation.
The project will be carried out by the State Khadi and Village Industries Board, allowing farmers to expand their beekeeping and honey businesses.
The government is already providing training in beekeeping to traditional beekeepers and poor farmers in hilly areas, as well as financial and technical assistance and a source of supplemental income.
The government's plan to develop "Honey Villages" in other parts of the state will be expanded to provide self-employment and to begin research, training, and development activities.
Because it provides nutritional, economic, and ecological balance, beekeeping is a sustainable and environmentally sound activity that integrates forestry, social forestry, and agricultural supporting activity. It is a low-investment, high-skilled industry that has the potential to directly employ hill dwellers, tribal and unemployed youth, and farmers.
Natural honey production is concentrated in India's North East region and Maharashtra. During the fiscal year 2020, the South Asian country of India produced four thousand metric tonnes of honey. This was a decrease from the previous fiscal year's total of about 4.8 thousand metric tonnes.
