To promote beekeeping as an income generating activity more colonies of bees are required so that increased yield of hive products can be obtained. Apis species are major pollinators and help to increase yield of various crops significantly. Populations of wild honeybees will have to maintain along with domesticated Apis mellifera. For the survival of large number of bee colonies, large amount of bee forage is required. So plants which provide surplus nectar and pollen, as well as those which provide floral rewards during dearth periods should be identified, planted and propagated. Study revealed that Ocimum basilicum was an excellent floral resource which provided both pollen as well as nectar during periods of floral scarcity. Foraging intensity of honeybees showed that they had strong attraction towards experimental plant and foraging frequency indicated availability of more amount of nectar and pollen in its flowers. Investigation of foraging behaviour of A. mellifera and A.cerana on bloom of plant under study confirmed it as an excellent bee flora of dearth periods as well as in general.
