Wild Forest Honey Harvest Journey Through Madhya Pradesh

India’s forests are home to some of the world’s most fascinating wild bee species, untouched tribal honey traditions, and deeply interconnected ecosystems. This journey by Royal Bee Brothers began with a bee conservation seminar in Ghaziabad and gradually transformed into an unforgettable expedition through Madhya Pradesh’s forests, tiger reserves, villages, and wild honey landscapes.

Wild Bee Conservation Seminar in Ghaziabad

Vijay ji and I, along with our team, were attending a three-day wild bee conservation seminar in Ghaziabad. The seminar focused on the impacts of climate change on bees, pollination cycles, wildflowers, and forest ecosystems. Around 110–120 researchers and scientists from India and abroad were participating in detailed discussions on wild bee conservation and biodiversity preservation.

On the third day of the seminar, May 20, we received a call from Ashok Bhai, who is associated with the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana and was in Bichhiya, Madhya Pradesh.

Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana and Tribal Honey Communities

The Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana is one of the Government of India’s important initiatives dedicated to strengthening tribal communities and forest-based livelihoods. The scheme supports the production, procurement, and marketing of wild forest honey, medicinal herbs, and various natural foods collected from forests across India.

Ashok ji informed us that the forests around Bichhiya had witnessed an exceptional abundance of wild beehives this year, and honey harvesting work was scheduled to begin from May 22. Understanding the urgency of the season, we decided to leave for Madhya Pradesh immediately.

Journey from Ghaziabad to Jabalpur

Our discussions on bee conservation continued late into the night, delaying our departure slightly. Instead of leaving at 3:00 a.m., we finally started our journey at 5:00 a.m. from Ghaziabad, taking the Yamuna Expressway through Mathura, Agra, Dhaulpur, and eventually entering Madhya Pradesh through Morena district.

We had already informed Raghu, the head of our harvesting team based in Bahraich, to prepare a group of 8–10 experienced honey harvesters along with all necessary safety and harvesting equipment for the Mandla–Bichhiya expedition.

Exploring Chambal Valley and Bundelkhand

From Morena onward, the landscape transformed dramatically as the Chambal Valley began unfolding before us. The Chambal region is known for its rugged ravines, winding roads, rocky hills, and historical legends of bandits who once ruled these terrains. The valley carries a mysterious yet captivating atmosphere that makes the drive unforgettable.

Passing through Gwalior, Dabra, Datia, Jhansi, Lalitpur, and Sagar, we gradually moved deeper toward the forest landscapes of Madhya Pradesh.

Near Jhansi, we stopped at a roadside dhaba for our first meal of the day and prepared ourselves for the remaining journey ahead. Moving onward beside the Betwa River — often called the heart of Bundelkhand — we reached Lalitpur.

Meeting an Old Forest Ranger in Lalitpur

In Lalitpur, we met our old friend Sanjeev ji, who had previously served as a Forest Ranger in Katerniaghat Forest, Bahraich. He suggested we avoid the usual highway route and instead travel via Sagar through the newly established Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.

Established in 2023, the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve spans across Sagar, Damoh, and Narsinghpur districts and covers nearly 1,414 square kilometers. The reserve contains dense forests, scenic landscapes, and rich biodiversity.

During our conversation, we asked him why he never left Lalitpur. Laughing warmly, he replied with a famous local proverb:

“झांसी गले की फांसी, दतिया गले का हार ।
ललितपुर ना छोड़िए, जब तक मिले उधार।।”

Through Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve

After bidding farewell to Sanjeev ji, we continued toward Sagar and entered the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve. The forest road was mesmerizing. Since the reserve was newly established, there were almost no tourists, and for nearly 40 kilometers we drove completely alone through untouched wilderness.

We discovered affordable government rest houses and low-cost jeep safaris available within the reserve. The calmness, greenery, and wildlife made the experience unforgettable.

Encountering Wild Beehives and Forest Wildlife

Throughout the roadside forests, we observed numerous wild beehives hanging naturally across the landscape. Although we were tempted to harvest them, this region was part of a protected conservation zone, and therefore we only photographed the hives from a distance.

During the drive, we also encountered a wolf walking peacefully through the forest road and later saw many langurs sitting beside the route. We spent time feeding them chickpeas and quietly observing their behavior in the forest environment.

Further ahead, we discovered a beautiful village hidden deep within the reserve. The simplicity of village life, despite limited facilities, left a deep impression on us. We spent nearly 45 minutes interacting with local villagers and experiencing the peaceful rhythm of forest life.

Arrival in Jabalpur

By the time we exited the tiger reserve, it was already evening. Around midnight, we finally reached Jabalpur after an exhausting but unforgettable journey across forests, valleys, rivers, and tribal landscapes of Madhya Pradesh.

We checked into a modest guest house, quickly ate rotis and dal fry, and fell asleep almost instantly. The next phase of our expedition — the actual wild forest honey harvesting journey in Mandla and Bichhiya — was about to begin.

Explore More from Royal Bee Brothers

• Explore Wild Forest Honey Collection
• Read More Honey Harvesting Stories
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