There was no effect on honey collection from the Sundarbans even during the Corona period. 200 tons of honey has been collected from Satkhira Range area of West Sundarbans this year. Besides, 60 tons of wax has been collected. The revenue collected from these extracted honey and wax has been Tk 21 lakh.
The extracted honey includes honey from khalisha, bain and garan flowers. These honey extracted from the Sundarbans have now spread to various domestic markets.
Sultan Ahmed, SO of Burigoalini Forest Station, Sundarbans Satkhira Ranch, said 200.75 tonnes of honey was collected from the Sundarbans Satkhira Range area in the 2019-20 financial year. Besides, 80.195 tons of wax has been collected. The government has collected revenue of 15 lakh four thousand 85 rupees in honey and 6 lakh one thousand 950 rupees in wax. The total revenue of honey and beeswax has been 21 lakh 6 thousand 625 rupees.
He said the honey collection season in the Sundarbans is from April 1 to June 15. This year, 4013 people entered the Sundarbans in 563 boats to collect honey with a pass from the forest department.
Even if they collect honey from the Sundarbans through hard work, the beekeepers cannot enjoy its real profit.
Mouyal Abdur Rashid of Gabura Union in Shyamnagar Upazila said, "We entered the forest by renting a boat with a loan of Tk 1 lakh from the moneylender." Then the moneylenders bought honey extracted from the Sundarbans at wholesale.
The moneylender pays 350-360 rupees per kg of Khalisha flower honey. And the honey price of Bain, Gibo and Garan flowers is 300-350 rupees. But this honey is sold in the market at 600-700 or a thousand rupees per kg.
Shahinur Rahman, a honey seller in Shyamnagar Sadar, collected honey from the Sundarbans. This honey trader has a big shop called Madhur Canteen in Shyamnagar market. Shahinur Rahman explained the method of collecting and marketing honey.
"During the honey collection season, when the bees enter the Sundarbans with a pass from the forest department, I give them money in Dadan," he said. After collecting the honey and returning it, the extracted honey is shared. In such a boat ten people go to the Sundarbans to collect honey. After returning, the extracted honey will be divided into 11 parts. I will get part of the money. Besides, I bought the remaining honey from the beekeepers with cash.
The wholesale honey seller said that the honey is sold through orders. After collecting the pure honey from the Sundarbans, the retailers from different parts of the country including Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chittagong and Sylhet bought it at wholesale through online order and communication on mobile phones. These honey are sent through courier service. Moreover, some local buyers also collect honey. I am selling 40-60 kg every day.
He said, "I am selling the honey of Khalisha flower in the Sundarbans at a wholesale price of Tk 600 per kg, the honey of Bain flower at Tk 800 and the honey of Garan flower at Tk 550." Besides, I am selling Kalojira flower honey collected from Gopalganj district at a wholesale price of Tk 650.
Sundarbans Satkhira Range Forest Officer Abul Hasan said there are about 50,000 forest dwellers in the Sundarbans coastal area of Satkhira. There are about five thousand of them. Outbreaks of corona virus have had no effect on honey collection from the Sundarbans. Mouyals are allowed to enter the Sundarbans to collect honey after ensuring hygiene.
Moreover, no tiger attack or any untoward incident was reported this year while collecting honey in the Sundarbans. However, five fishermen drowned or died of stroke at Satkhira Ranch while fishing, he said.
Satkhira District Marketing Officer Saleh. Abdullah said that after collecting honey and beeswax from the Sundarbans, various companies contacted traders and bought them. Moreover, some go to the hands of retailers.
There is no official price for honey. Due to which traders collect and sell honey at arbitrary prices. Moreover, all the traders claim that their honey is the pure honey of the Sundarbans, the official added.
"We do not have any system for testing honey," he added. Only in Dhaka can BSTI test honey. However, pure honey stays good for a long time and adulterated honey is spoiled after a few months. Frozen under the container. Then it is understood that it is adulterated honey.
Honey has many benefits for the body. It is more beneficial for the patient of Corona.
During the honey collection season, when the bees enter the Sundarbans with a pass from the forest department, I give them money in Dadan," he said. After collecting the honey and returning it, the extracted honey is shared. In such a boat ten people go to the Sundarbans to collect honey. After returning, the extracted honey will be divided into 11 parts. I will get part of the money. Besides, I bought the remaining honey from the beekeepers with cash.