In the lush region of the Riviera Maya lies an invaluable treasure: the melipona bee. These stingless bees play an essential role in preserving the ecosystem, as they are responsible for pollinating a wide variety of native plants.
Meliponiculture, the ancestral practice of breeding and managing melipona bees, represents a cultural legacy that has endured for centuries in Mayan communities.
According to Yuritzi Espino, Manager of Eco-Bahia foundation: “The melipona bee is much more than just a pollinator. It represents the deep connection between nature and local communities; for the Maya, the melipona is a sacred bee. Our commitment is to promote its conservation through education and awareness, thus safeguarding an ancestral legacy that has endured for centuries.”
Melipona honey, renowned for its medicinal properties and unique flavor, has been considered sacred in Mayan culture. However, factors such as climate change and habitat loss threaten the survival of this species and its valuable contribution to the region’s biodiversity.
In response to this challenge, Eco-Bahia foundation develops educational programs, workshops, and community activities to raise awareness among residents and visitors about the importance of conserving these native bees.
For Yuritzi Espino, the mission goes beyond the protection of a species: “It is about promoting a lifestyle in harmony with nature. Every effort, no matter how small, counts in the preservation of melipona bees, which pollinate between 30 and 40% of the plant species in the ecosystems where they live.”
Through this work, Eco-Bahia foundation and Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts strengthen their commitment to sustainability, promoting the conservation of the melipona bee and the natural and cultural heritage of the Riviera Maya.
Today, the melipona bee is a living symbol of biodiversity and ancestral Mayan culture. Its protection ensures not only the ecological balance of the region but also the preservation of traditional knowledge that connects past and present.
If you wish to learn more about meliponiculture, join our conservation efforts, or discover how you can contribute, we invite you to visit the Eco-Bahia foundation website and take an active role in this cause.
Recycled Paper Workshop in Playa del Carmen
Eco-Bahia Drives Marine Conservation in Riviera Maya