LANTOTO GAME PARK: 20 Beekeepers Receive Modern Hives

(TORE PAYAM / YEI RIVER COUNTY) – A new wave of sustainable livelihood is taking root in Landili Payam, Rasolu Town, as 20 local beekeepers have received modern beehives under a community conservation initiative near Lantoto National Park.

The initiative, spearheaded by conservation partners including Enjojo Foundation and local authorities, aims to strengthen community livelihoods while protecting the park’s fragile ecosystem. For years, communities living along the park’s boundaries relied heavily on subsistence farming, timber harvesting, and firewood collection activities that often led to conflicts with park management.

Now, the introduction of modern beekeeping is offering a viable and environmentally friendly alternative.

Linking Conservation with Livelihoods:

The beekeeping program is designed to bridge conservation efforts with economic development by promoting the production of organic forest honey. By engaging communities in sustainable income-generating activities, the project reduces dependence on forest exploitation.

“When you empower a community, you protect the park,” said Mr. Clement Ochan, Peace Project Manager overseeing the initiative. “The bees depend on the park’s wildflowers and the farmers depend on the bees for their livelihoods. It is a perfect balance.”

Bees play a critical role in pollination, supporting the biodiversity of Lantoto National Park. Protecting their habitat contributes to maintaining healthy forest ecosystems, ensuring that vegetation and wildlife continue to thrive.

Training and Equipment Provided:

Beneficiaries of the program received not only modern beehives but also essential equipment, including protective suits and smokers. They underwent training on hive management, colony care, and sustainable honey harvesting techniques.

Previously, traditional honey collection often involved cutting down trees and using fire to access wild hives practices that led to forest degradation and, in some cases, destructive bushfires. The new approach encourages farmers to hang hives on trees within safe settlement areas, allowing honey to be harvested without damaging the environment.

Community Impact and Success Stories:

Among the first beneficiaries is Jerefa Moyaka, a mother living a few kilometers from Lantoto National Park headquarters. She described the initiative as life-changing.

“Before receiving these hives, I didn’t know how to handle bees safely,” Moyaka said. “Now we have learned how to use smokers, manage colonies, and harvest pure honey without destroying the forest.”

Moyaka and her cooperative now plan to produce high-quality organic honey for sale in local markets, including Yei town and beyond. The income generated is expected to support households by covering school fees and basic needs.

“The forest is no longer just a place we take from,” she added. “By keeping the bees, we protect the trees.”

Expansion Plans Underway:

According to Mr. Ochan, additional hives intended for Tore Payam in Yei River County are currently being held in Rasolu. They are scheduled for transportation and distribution later this week.

“The beehives for Tore Payam are ready and will be delivered on Thursday, with distribution taking place the same day,” he confirmed.

Model for Sustainable Development:

As the project gains momentum, neighboring communities are beginning to take interest in beekeeping as a sustainable livelihood. With continued training and support, Landili Payam is emerging as a model for community led conservation.

By transforming forest-edge communities into stewards of biodiversity, the initiative is redefining the relationship between people and protected areas. Residents now increasingly view Lantoto National Park not as a restriction, but as a shared resource that sustains both nature and livelihoods.

The hum of bees in Rasolu is no longer just a sound of nature it is the sound of progress, resilience and hope for a more sustainable future.