A significant population of the Sundarbans is dependent on the mangrove forests for non-timber forest produce like wild honey, wax seasonally from April to June every year. However, they fail to get a reasonable price due to the remoteness, as well as the absence of mechanized filtering opportunities for the collected raw honey. Besides, the collection process is risky and the honey collectors have to find their way through muddy saltwater rivers, creeks, and narrow channels that crisscross the Sundarbans, which is also inhabited by the Royal Bengal tigers and estuarine crocodiles. Again, fire and smoke that are used to get rid of the bees from their nests also destroy the entire colony, further can also ignite wildfires. However, keeping in mind the threats associated with the wild honey collection, it is necessary to gradually shift from the wild collection to sustainable Beekeeping/Apiary.
This project intends to provide beekeeping opportunities with the native variety of honey bee namely Apis cerana indica (Asiatic Honey Bee) instead of an exotic species Apis mellifera to reduce the anthropogenic pressure on the reserve forest and augment the income of the Moulis through sustainable livelihood options based on their traditional skills.
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Project location:
Samsernagar Village , Hingalganj Block – Sundarban , North 24 Parganas , West Bengal
Kumirmari Village , Gosaba Block – Sundarban , South 24 Parganas, West Bengal