Beijing's suburban Miyun pursues green development via beekeeping
Beijing's northern suburban district of Miyun is pursuing a green transformation of its economic model via nurturing beekeeping industry, which can fully harness its natural resources while improving local ecology.
In Miyun District, bee populations, including Chinese and Italian species, are thriving. This has led to a flourishing bee products industry, producing over 4.5 million kilograms of honey and propolis annually, valued at over 100 million yuan. Additionally, the very small trichogramma wasps are helping local farmers by controlling insect pests, further supporting agricultural production.
These successes are attributed to the ecological preservation efforts of local authorities. As the major drinking water source and strategic reserve base of water resources for Beijing, Miyun District is home to the largest reservoir in northern China. To protect this vital reservoir, residents have been relocated three times, with 102 villages moved and 300 enterprises shut down. The local government has also implemented policies to return farmland, ban farming in certain areas, and relocate fish farming operations.
"To preserve the reservoir, we've planted large numbers of trees and banned the use of pesticides. We've also restricted fish farming and returned farmland to nature, creating a chemical-free environment that's ideal for breeding bees," said Luo Qihua, Deputy Director of Miyun's Forestry and Park Bureau.
Thanks to these efforts, Miyun has become a leading area for beekeeping, with over 200 plant species that provide nectar for wild bees.
These bees, in turn, contribute to the ecological balance by producing honey and pollinating plants, which improves local biodiversity.
"The pollination by small wasps not only reduces labor but also enhances the flavor of our tomatoes. It improves their shape, which increases the yield of marketable produce," said An Lihui, a local tomato farmer.
The lush forests and abundant flowers in Miyun create a vibrant, living landscape, reflecting a harmonious relationship between humans and nature. This has also given rise to specialized tourism centered around beekeeping.
"Beekeeping in Miyun not only improves the environment but also boosts the income of local beekeepers. Visitors can come here to enjoy natural honey while enjoying the lush mountains, lucid waters, and the breathtaking local landscapes, which would enable them to share with the locals their 'honey-sweet' life," said Wang Weiyi, the leader of a beekeeping cooperative in Miyun.
