Teak Plantations and Biodiversity
Scellec Teca Teak Plantations
Commercially sustainable biodiversity enhancement away from cattle land use.
Ability to protect and grow native trees and support local wildlife
Circular forestry economy delivering the funding to offset carbon from illegal natural forest deforestation
Improves soil and increases insect biodiversity by 70%
Produce ten times more volume than natural planted forests, helping to take the pressure off natural ecosystems
Biodiversity – Scellec Teca Melipona Bee Plan
The Environmental reports produced during the due diligence phase provide the basis for our environmental plan, once we have acquired the farm. The report identifies habitats, protected species, animal paths (such as jaguar corridors) and many other environmental elements that we are responsible for, when we acquire land.
The Melipona Bee Project – Sierradentro
In our first year of ownership of the Sierradentro farm, we made the acquaintance of the Melipona bee. Melipona bees are a stingless bee, that originated in Mexico over 3,000 years ago, and that live in colonies in small crevices of hollow trees. They are known for producing small quantities of a pale and watery honey that is known for its medicinal and curative properties. Some of the reputed health benefits include:*
Antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties that help counter the effects of diabetes
Can ease stomach pain and alleviate bladder infections
Boosts immunity and so can help cancer patients
When a drop is put in the eye, it alleviates eye conditions, including cataracts
Reduces cholesterol and improves blood circulation
The Melipona beehives were located in an area of Sierradentro that was to be planted with teak. In order to protect the bees, a project was undertaken to relocate them. A local bee expert was identified and with great care moved the hives into prepared boxes and brought them safely to another part of the farm. A plan for their care was put in place and in December 2022 some of the team underwent specialist meliponiculture training. In December 2023 – January 2024 the hives will be moved to their new and improved accommodation.
It is envisaged that the Melipona bee project will become a wider community project in all Scellec Teca forestry projects where the Melipona bee is present, and will benefit local communities through education, honey production and the positive impact of the bees on the local environment and associated biodiversity.
* www.beekeepclub.com, www.meliponinibeehoney.com, www.nationalgeographic.com
Our Native Tree Species Support Programme
Scellec Teca nurseries have also begun a programme to produce seedlings of native tree species such as ebony and mahogany. The seedlings are given to the local community for local planting. The replanting of these trees will provide native habitats to a wide and diverse range of native animal species.