Hosneara Parvin Khuku from Khulna:

Honey and beeswax collection is getting momentum in Sundarbans, also the largest mangrove forest in the world, due to high demand of those at home and abroad.

Different companies, which manufacture herbal medicines at home and abroad, usually buy the honey from the collectors.

Despite several barriers, a good number of people live around the Sundarbans are being engaged in this profession to earn their livings.

Meanwhile, the move has been started from April 1 and will continue till June 30, said Conservator of Forests (CF) (East and West division of the Sundarbans) Md Imran Ahmed.

CF Imran Ahmed also said, “The boats, which have valid licenses, will be allowed to enter into the reserved forest Sundarban’s both west and east divisions for collecting about 3490 Quintals (1Quintal=100Kgs) of honey (3,490 Quintals) and 1045 Quintals (1Quintal=100Kgs) of beeswax (1,045 Quiantals).”

“Each Mawlai will have to pay Tk 1,600+VAT as revenue against collection of 100 kgs (1 Quintal) of honey and Tk 2,200+VAT for crude beeswax,” he said, adding that this season revenue target has been set at Tk 1 (one) crore.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Sundarbans west division AZM Hasanur Rahman said, “The forest department is conducting several awareness campaigns to protect the honey collectors’ lives and the Sundarbans’ natural environment from destructions.”

Meanwhile, a campaign programme was held at Burigoalini Forest Primary School premises under Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira district recently with the initiative of Sundarbans Forest West Division on the occasion of launching the season.

Speakers in the programme discussed about several measures to protect both the lives of Mowalis and bees for the sake of Sundarbans’ biodiversity.

“A religious ritual was also held at the forest office with the participation of a good number of honey collectors before they set-out from the jetty,” he added.

Traditionally, each Mowali group is formed in combination of seven to nine people during the honey collection season. The group leader, called Sajuni, coordinates and operates the whole process.

After the harvest, they no longer work together in the same group or in any activities requiring the teamwork. The collectors carry fresh water, rice, pulses, cooking oil, kerosene oil, spices and life saving medicines to survive in the remote forest for over two months to collect honey.

It is to be mentioned that, due to collection of honey by Mowalis through traditional method and massive killing of bees during their mission, honey production from the Sundarbans has fallen drastically. Besides, the natural environment of the largest forest is facing threats.

In traditional method, the Mowals apply smoke to the colonies to subdue the bees for easy collection of honey. As a result, most of the bees including the queen die that hampers future reproduction breeding and production.

Honey collector Nishit Ranjon Mistri of Sutarkhali village under Dacope upazila said, “People of the Sundarbans, who are traditionally involved in the forest resources’ collection with the legal approval of the forest department, have been facing manifold problems due to various reasons. Many of them, who live around the Sundarbans, have lost easy access to the forest resources as well as many are now facing threat over their livelihoods due to lack of appropriate jobs. Of them, honey collectors, locally known as Mowalis are the main victims.”

He also said, “Though the existing rules have ensured safety, it has relaxed the rights of Mowalis in the field of easy access that causes reduction of their income. Many, who took loans from Mohajon (traditional money lenders) or micro-credit based several NGOs, are forced to pay bulk portion of their collections without any question. They don’t get fair prices from the market as this practice hasbeen going on here for over past one and half century. They get a lower price compared to the market rates.”