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This Project seeks to elucidate the interdependencies between bees, biodiversity and forest livelihoods in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR), Western Ghats, India. The indigenous bees of the mountainous NBR are known to play an important role in local livelihoods (honey hunting is part of the culture), yet the bees have not been scientifically identified or classified, their populations and distributions are unknown, and their vital role in pollination and the maintenance of forest biodiversity has not been studied. This unique Project will endeavour to combine scientific data about the status of these indigenous bees and their ecology, with participatory livelihoods analysis. This will be achieved by strengthening the research capacity of the local organisation, Keystone, working in partnership with three UK institutions, and with local indigenous communities and Forest Department staff.