Mialo kwamtoro Bee Reserve was established through a Government Notice (G.N.) number 291 of March 29, 2021.
Location and legal status
The reserve is found in Chemba district in Dodoma region. Chemba district lies between 5° 14′ 34″ S and 35° 53′ 24″ E with general altitude ranging from 1200 to 1500 meters above sea level. Mialo kwamtoro National Bee Reserve (MNBR) lies between 784244 and 780292 Easting and between 9442093 and 9438967 Northings coordinates. The reserve has survey map Job No JB 2937 of 2019. It is at a distance of about 130 km from Kondoa town southwest, about 90km from Chemba town westwards via Kwamtoro village (division) and about 34km from Kondoa town via swagaswaga game reserve. Mialo kwamtoro Bee Reserve is bordered by Swagaswaga game reserve in the South and East, Mialo village forest reserve at it's west and Lahoda village northwards.
MNBR has got about 608 Ha (6.08 Km2) and has a boundary of 10.492 Km long.
Vegetation
Mialo kwamtoro National Bee Reserves is mainly characterizes by Miombo woodland and different species of herbs that possess an immeasurable significance in conservation of biodiversity. The vegetation presents a complex interspersion of cover type and a huge variety of plant species. Throughout most of Mialo kwamtoro bee reserve, undercover vegetation form complex irregular trees and herbs. The reserve area is dominated by Brachystegia spp and various species of herbs. The presence of various species of Brachystegia, acacia, shrubs and herbs have great influence on bees and beekeeping thus makes this area ideal for Bee Reserve establishment.
Dominant tree species for Mialo kwa mtoro include but not limited to Acacia tortillis, Albizia spp (Rain tree), Vitex doniana (Black plums), Acacia meansii (Black wattle trees), Brachystegia spiciformis (zebra wood) and Andansonia digitata (Bao baob tree). Shrubs cover is dominated by Coursetia caribae Acacia Senegal (Gum Arabic tree), Euonymus japonicas, Dalbegia lanceolaria, Adenanthera pavonina (coral wood).
The herb cover is dominated by Bidens tripartita L. and Commelina erecta (check weed), Ipomea indica (blue down flower), Agastache rugosa (blue fortune), Sanguisorba officinalis (Burnet blood wort), Coreopsis verticillata (thread leaf coreopsis), Blephans linariifolia, Mercurialis annua L. (Annual mercury), viburnum rhytidophyllum Hems (leather leaf viburnum), Oenothera spp, Angeratum conyzoides L. (tropical white weed), Bophytum sensitium (little tree pant), Vernonia baldwinii. Vegetation mentioned above provide shelter to small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects.
Most of these plant species produce flowers which secrete nectar and others produce pollen or both nectar and pollen. This makes beekeeping as one of key economic activities in the area.
Activities
Communities surrounding the reserve predominantly belonging to Sandawe and Nyaturu ethnics engaging in Livestock keeping, agriculture, Poultry and beekeeping as well which form main activities for their livelihood. Originally the communities of these areas especially Sandawe were hunters and gatherers for their subsistence.
Mialo Kwamtoro Bee reserve possess good opportunities of carrying out research and learning to various scholars and students as well as demonstration on beekeeping matters to communities and private people.
