Traditional mawals venture deep into the world’s largest mangrove forest as the 2025-26 honey season opens, balancing age-old rituals against rising extortion threats and wildlife dangers.
Honey collection in Bangladesh’s Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, officially began today (April 1, 2026), with teams of mawals (honey collectors) setting sail after obtaining permits from the Forest Department. Although the season was scheduled to start earlier, Eid holidays delayed the formal issuance of passes in some ranges. Eastern Sundarbans operations kicked off immediately, while collectors in the Western ranges (Khulna and Satkhira) are expected to enter from April 7.
The Forest Department has set a target of collecting 1,100 quintals of honey and 600 quintals of beeswax for the 2025-26 season, though some reports cite an overall goal of up to 2,500 quintals across divisions. Mawals from villages around Shyamnagar, Dumuria, and other coastal areas have formed teams of 7 to 12 members, loading boats with basic tools – ropes, choppers, smoke torches made from green leaves, and stainless-steel cans for storage.
Abdur Razzaq, a team leader from Dumuria village under Gabura union in Shyamnagar upazila, told reporters his 12-member group is fully prepared. “We are ready and will start our journey after getting the permits,” he said, noting that Sundarbans honey remains in high demand across the country for its natural, unadulterated quality. Collectors will operate until June 30 in designated areas such as Pushpakati and Notabeki.
Security Concerns Loom Over Operations
The season opens amid growing security concerns, with many collectors hesitant to enter the forest. Reports of increased activity by forest robbers – including extortion and abductions for ransom – have created fear among the mawals. Anonymous honey collectors revealed that some gangs are demanding up to Tk 10,000 per group, forcing several teams to pay or abandon plans altogether. Local stakeholders worry this could lead to a further decline in participation and output compared to previous years.
The forest department has assured measures to ensure safety, instructing collectors to follow strict guidelines and stay in designated zones. However, enforcement in the vast, maze-like mangrove waterways remains challenging. In addition to human threats, the dense forest has long been notorious for bandit activity that targets resource-dependent communities.
Traditional Perils: Tigers, Bees and the Unknown
Beyond robber threats, mawals face the forest’s inherent dangers. The Sundarbans is home to the royal Bengal tiger, and historical data shows dozens of deaths each year among honey collectors, woodcutters and fishermen. Tigers often ambush collectors focused upward on beehives, while venomous snakes, crocodiles, shifting tides and quicksand add to the risks.
For generations, mawals have relied on rituals for protection. Before entering, teams pray to Bonbibi, the revered forest goddess believed to safeguard them from Dakshin Rai (the tiger deity) and other spirits. This cultural practice remains integral, blending faith with practical survival strategies passed down through families.
The bees themselves pose another hazard. Wild colonies in the mangroves are among the largest and most aggressive in the world. Collectors use smoke from leaf torches to calm them before climbing trees and carefully slicing only the honey-laden portions of the comb, leaving the brood intact to ensure future regeneration.
Economic Lifeline for Coastal Communities
For thousands of marginalised families around the Sundarbans, honey harvesting provides a critical seasonal income when fishing is restricted. Each collector historically earns the equivalent of $70–80 during the three-month period, enough to repay debts, repair boats or support households. Pure Sundarbans honey commands premium prices.
The product’s unique flavour, dark colour and medicinal properties stem from the pristine mangrove ecosystem. Demand remains strong both domestically and internationally, with some varieties gaining attention for their purity and potential health benefits. Collectors store the harvest in flat stainless-steel cans to preserve quality before selling through local markets or cooperatives.
Sustainable Practices and Long-Term Recognition
Forest officials emphasise sustainable methods. Rules penalise the killing of even a single bee (Tk 50 fine), and mawals are trained to avoid destroying entire hives. This approach supports biodiversity while allowing bee populations to recover. Some cooperatives have introduced modern safeguards, such as mobile financial services like bKash, enabling collectors to avoid carrying cash and reducing robbery risks.
Sundarbans honey has also attracted global interest. Earlier efforts secured geographical indication (GI) recognition, highlighting its distinct origin and traditional knowledge. Bee migration patterns linked to the Himalayas have further underscored the product’s unique genetic profile, drawing attention at international forums.
Despite these advances, challenges persist. Climate change, shifting flowering seasons and habitat pressures could affect future yields. Conservationists stress the need for stronger enforcement against illegal activities and better support for mawals to balance livelihoods with ecosystem protection.
Image: Wikimedia
