Beekeepers boost livelihoods near Sundarbans, easing pressure on forest
Photo Collected
A shift in beekeeping practices is transforming the honey trade around Bangladesh’s Sundarbans, offering a safer and more sustainable alternative to traditional methods. Beekeepers are increasingly opting to place their hives along the riverbanks bordering the vast mangrove forest rather than venturing deep into its perilous interior.
This move, observed prominently in areas like Baniyakhati village in Koyra Upazila, Khulna, allows apiarists to tap into the rich floral resources of the Sundarbans while significantly mitigating risks associated with tigers, bandits, and the unpredictable environment. Hundreds of wooden beehives now dot the landscape, buzzing with activity as bees collect nectar from blooming Sundari, Gewa, Bain, and Khlisi flowers.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The apiarists, many hailing from Satkhira’s Shyamnagar Upazila, have established temporary camps near the river, carefully tending to their approximately 400 hives. The hives are shielded from the intense sun and heat with straw and jute sacks, with regular watering to maintain a cool internal temperature, crucial for the bees’ health and honey production.
These beekeepers are migratory, following the blooming seasons across the country. Their journey this year began with litchi flowers in Natore, moved through Ishwardi, and has now brought them to the fringes of the Sundarbans. Each hive, typically containing seven to eight chambers, yields an average of two to two and a half kilograms of honey. The beekeepers anticipate an increased yield as the Gewa flowers begin to bloom, following earlier harvests of Khlisha and Goran nectar.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The process of honey extraction involves specialized machinery. Frames of honeycomb are removed from the hives, spun in a machine to separate the honey, and then returned to the bees to begin anew. Honey is considered “Grade-A” when the bees have sealed the cells, indicating the nectar has fully matured. The harvested honey is then sold, with wholesale prices around 25,000 Bangladeshi Taka per maund (approximately 37 kg) and retail prices nearing 1,000 Taka per kilogram, with much of it destined for larger cities like Dhaka.
This evolving approach not only benefits the beekeepers by reducing risk and operational costs but also lessens the pressure on the delicate Sundarbans ecosystem. Additionally, there is a growing local involvement, with initiatives like the one supported by the non-governmental organization ‘Prottashi’ distributing hundreds of hives and providing training to residents of Sundarbans-adjacent villages.
Local officials have lauded these developments. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Koyra, Md. Abdullah Al Baky, tasted the honey produced through these new methods and remarked on its similarity to traditional Sundarbans honey, highlighting the potential for new income streams and a sustainable alternative for honey collection. Forest Department officials also recognize the positive impact, noting the reduced strain on the forest and the enhanced safety for the apiarists. Some beekeepers even enter into agreements with landowners, sharing a portion of their harvest in exchange for placing their hives on private property.
Despite the advantages, challenges remain. During off-seasons, beekeepers must feed their bees sugar, requiring significant quantities annually. The presence of a healthy queen bee in each hive is also paramount, as worker bees will disperse if the queen is absent. Nonetheless, the shift towards safer, riverbank-based beekeeping signifies a promising step forward for both the industry and the conservation of the Sundarbans.
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