Local body taking initiatives to protect cliff bees

BY RAJ KUMAR BHATTARAI

Khotang, Nov. 10: Locals in Banspani of Kepilasagadhi Rural Municipality-3 of Khotang district have taken initiatives to protect the cliff bees (Bhir Mauri). The bees, which had fled two years ago due to a wildfire from the Royalung cliff at the border of Baspani and Khartamcha, have come back, prompting local efforts for their conservation.

The locals have taken steps to protect these bees after they were seen nesting on the Royalung rock located above a Piuri waterfall in the Lung Khola area at the Baspani and Khartamcha border. 

According to a local, Pradap Rai, people from both wards, Baspani and Khartamcha, have engaged in conservation efforts, as the bees have returned after two years. 

The site of the cliff bees, Royalung, is also connected to the history of the Sampang Rai community. 

In the Sampang language, ‘Roya’ means bee and ‘Lung’ means rock, hence the place is called Royalung as it has historically been home to cliff bees. Now that the bees have returned, protection efforts have started, Rai informed. 

Tularam Rai, Ward Chairman of Baspani, and Milan Rai, Ward Chairman of Khartamcha, had expressed their solidarity with the conservation efforts. Representatives from Baspani and locals had visited the cliff bee site on Saturday.

The cliff bees found in Fedi and Sundel in Kepilasagadhi Rural Municipality are well-known. The municipality has adopted a policy to promote tourism by conserving the cliff bees.