Evaluation of different hive designing for Apis cerana himalaya in NEH region of India

Asian honey bee, Apis cerana is a species of honey bee native to South, Southeast and East Asia. This species is the sister species of Apis koschevnikovi and both are in the same subgenus. Apis cerana having three subspecies in India and in which one subspecies is Apis cerana himalaya that found only in NEH region of India. A. cerana himalaya colonies are known for building nests consisting of multiple combs in cavities containing a small entrance, presumably for defense against invasion by individuals of another nest. Moreover, A. cerana himalaya is known for its highly social behavior, reflective of its classification as a type of honey bee. We found from different hive designing experiment that ISI A type with 8 frames has the maximum egg laying area of (300.33 cm²), brood area of (1261 cm²), honey store of (528.33 cm²) pollen stores of (521.00 cm²) followed by local made hive with (268 cm²), (1235 cm²), (500.33 cm²) and ( 490.33 cm²) of egg laying area, brood area, honey store and pollen store respectively and the least was found in Modified ISI A type hive with brood chamber and frame  reduced by 2 inch with 6 frames. This shows that ISI A type with 8 frames is a scientific and most advance hive for A. cerana himalaya. It is recommended that the use of ISI A type hive followed local made hive best for A. cerana himalaya in NEH region.