Out in the lush and twisted jungles of the Sundarban mangroves, there’s a special & fading tradition that hangs on by a thread. The honey collectors, known around here as maulis, are brave souls. They put their lives on the line to gather wild honey from deep inside Sundarban’s thick forests. It’s not just the bees they have to watch out for. There’s danger from Mother Nature and an even scarier threat: the Royal Bengal Tiger.
The Maulis’ Legacy
For ages, collecting honey has been part of the yearly routine in the Sundarbans. When spring rolls around, from March to May, these maulis set off through the mangroves, using old boats or just their feet. They are in search of giant beehives high up in the sundari trees. With skills that have been passed down like family treasure, they carefully smoke the bees away and collect the golden honeycombs.
This is way more than a job; it’s a lifestyle. Families for years have relied on honey gathering to make ends meet, selling it in local markets to support themselves. The honey from Sundarbans is famous for being pure & good for health. In India, it’s some of the best you can find.
Danger Lurks Everywhere
But this old craft ain’t safe. Sundarbans is the only mangrove jungle where tigers hunt humans regularly. For honey collectors, there’s always the fear of a tiger attack. And then there are snake bites, crocodiles, or even drowning in speedy tidal streams. Every year, we hear sad stories of maulis who don’t make it back home.
To protect themselves, maulis do rituals before every honey quest. They pray to Bonbibi, the jungle guardian revered by Hindus & Muslims alike, hoping she’ll shield them from tigers (called Dakshin Rai in tales).
A Tradition on the Decline
Lately, this job has seen a drop. Youngsters from Sundarbans are looking for safer and steadier work in cities. Rules and efforts to save wildlife — though important — are limiting zones where honey can be collected, cutting down chances for these dedicated workers.
Climate change isn’t helping either: big storms and unpredictable tides destroy bee homes and meddle with honey flow. So now fewer maulis continue this risky trade.
Saving the Heritage
Several groups & forest programs are jumping in to help these honey collectors, making sure their ancient knowledge isn’t lost to time. They are teaching safe ways, offering protective gear, and showing how to gather honey without harming nature.
Visitors to Sundarbans can catch a glimpse of this amazing tradition and may even meet maulis during cultural Sundarban tours set up by local tourism folks. Buying certified honey directly helps these people while promoting fair & eco-friendly gathering.
Last Thoughts
The tale of Sundarban’s honey collectors isn’t just about making money — it speaks of bravery, rich traditions, and living in sync with nature. With today’s world closing in, it’s crucial to save and tell these incredible tales before they vanish.
If you make your way to the Sundarbans with Sundarban Anjali Travels, don’t forget to ask about the maulis. Their courage and deep knowledge of the wild mangroves will leave you respecting this endangered way of life even more.
