JENA JENU

The fragments of a forgotten honey song from the forests of Kakanakote remind us of the fast disappearing Bees. Are we witnessing the last of the hives? The Kakanakote and Nagarahole forests in south India are home to the Jenu Kurubas, a tribe who harvest honey. Jenu in Kannada means honey. Over the last two decades, the honey bees and honey are declining at an alarming rate! Two decades ago, come April- May and the honey collection is brisk with several litres of honey collected each day, today they can hardly find honey. The Jenu Kurubas never kill the bees, they only smoke them out of the hives. Where are the hives? Where are the bees? Where are the big trees? Many trees and flowers that draw the bees have completely disappeared from the forest. To add to this, the break in the rhythms of the seasonal cycle is affecting both the flora and fauna. Produced by Pipal Tree, Bangalore (www.pipaltree.org.in) Direction and Photography: Vinod Raja