While it’s true that beekeeping, can bridge the gap between bee conservation and empowerment of local populations, is still underdeveloped in Gabon. The NGO Conservation Justice and its partners, Blessings Of The Forest (BOTF), Apiculture Service Gabon and Muyissi Environnement are working to popularize this activity in the provinces of Ngounié and Ogooué-Ivindo.

In fact, over the past two years, the NGO’s commitment in this area has taken the form of supporting communities with equipment and by improving their knowledge of beekeeping training and regular monitoring of beneficiary villages.

"This project has brought us into constant contact with the forests on the one hand, and with the communities who are the primary custodians of these forests on the other. with the communities who are the first guardians of these forests. And bees are a component of our forests. Moreover, they are perceived as a barometer that enables us to appreciate the quality of the forests. That’s why Conservation Justice, along with other partners decided, along with other partners, to support communities in the breeding of bees Ladislas Désiré Ndembet, Assistant Southern Coordinator of Conservation Justice activities and Executive Secretary of Muyissi environment. He continues : " This activity helps to protect the biodiversity of the villages by limiting the pressure of the populations on the forests due to the techniques traditionally used to harvest honey in the forest. »

This year’s theme highlights the urgent need to involve young people in the fight against the loss of bees. In Gabon, although the benefits of beekeeping are still mixed, although the mood in the communities of Saint-Martin des Apindji is still mixed, many young people are involved, Mamiengue, Mouyikou, Kouagna and Ebyeng, who between 2022 and February 2024 received training in beekeeping and techniques for setting up beehives.

This support to the communities was made possible by the Strengthening of Wildlife and Flora Law Enforcement Program (RALFF), financed by the European Union (EU) and implemented since 2018 by Conservation Justice. These beekeeping projects can offer a lifeline for communities and the survival of bees in a world where anthropogenic anthropic activities threaten the balance.

CJ