At 8:00 a.m., we left the wedding venue for Bichhiya, and from Bichhiya, we headed toward Basniya. Around 10:00 a.m., we reached Basniya and met our 14-member team, who had arrived last night from Bahraich to assist with honey extraction and were waiting at a guest house near the bus stand.
In the scorching sun, by around 11:00 a.m., we set off with our team and 20 local helpers toward the forests of Halo Valley, a distance of about 3 kilometers that we had to cover on foot. The team was now led by Raghu, an expert in honey harvesting.
Along the way, we walked on rocky paths beside a dry river and then entered the Muramik zone of the forest. The Muramik zone produces 20–25 tons of honey each year, especially from Apis dorsata bees, which migrate here in large numbers.
After walking barely 500 meters into the forest, the scene transformed. The temperature dropped, and almost every branch of every tree was covered with large beehives. The forest was full of trees like Mahua, Dhanvantari, Lal Ghuma, Sobhuvana, and Kalkoma, all flowering abundantly. Among them, the Mahua tree stood out as truly remarkable.
In the forests of central India, harvesting honey from Mahua flowers is a special process, steeped in uniqueness and cultural heritage. Mahua, also known as Madhuca longifolia, is a highly valued tree, especially for tribal communities. Its flowers are used not only as food but also for producing honey, which is rich in taste and medicinal properties. Mahua flowers are white and fragrant, attracting bees, and bloom from March to May, providing bees with a primary source of nectar and pollen. These trees are abundant near villages and forests, making honey harvesting a regular and traditional activity.
Identifying beehives in the forest is a daring and skillful task, carried out collaboratively by a team.
This process not only requires patience and alertness but also relies on traditional knowledge and techniques. Raghu organized teams of 5 people each, forming 8–9 groups, to survey the entire zone. After about three hours, everyone returned and estimated that there would be around 20–25 tons of honey in the forest.
We had lunch and then made plans for how to harvest the honey over the next 10–12 days: how many teams would be formed, who would lead on which day, and how to transport the honey from the forest to the town daily. After roughly three hours of intense discussion and planning, our strategy was ready.
We realized that we would need to work 16–18 hours each day and complete the tasks as quickly as possible because the monsoon would begin in a few days. Having finished the day’s work, we set off for the town, ready to start harvesting the next morning.
The next morning, with the freshness of dawn and the chirping of birds, the team began their journey. The dense greenery of the forest and the diversity of wildlife left everyone mesmerized. Raghu instructed the team to follow a safe path to avoid any potential dangers.
Before entering the forest, the team had completed all necessary preparations. Essential equipment such as dry leaves for generating smoke, ropes, sharp knives for cutting hives, and containers for collecting honey were taken along. All members wore protective clothing to guard against bee stings.
Upon entering the forest, the team split up according to the plan prepared the previous day, and I joined Raghu’s team. After walking for some time, we heard the buzzing of bees—a clear sign that a hive was nearby.
Raghu first inspected the large surrounding trees, as bees often build their hives in high and secure locations. Ramu and Suresh examined the roots and trunks, while Ramdeen and Lochan searched the lower areas. Finally, the team discovered a beehive on a large Sal tree. The hive was situated quite high, and a dense swarm of bees hovered around it.
Identifying a beehive and harvesting honey is a collaborative effort, where every team member plays a crucial role. This process demands not only physical strength and patience but also relies heavily on traditional knowledge and techniques. In this way, locating a hive in the forest is an adventurous and enriching experience, symbolizing teamwork, skill, and endurance.
Raghu immediately instructed his team to remain cautious and work patiently. Preparations were made to generate smoke to protect against bee stings. Raghu and Raju quickly put on bee suits, while the rest used mosquito nets at a short distance to protect themselves from possible bee attacks.
Ramu and Suresh ignited dry leaves and wood to produce smoke. The smoke was carried near the hive to calm the bees temporarily, making honey harvesting a bit easier. Raghu and Raju then began climbing the tree using ropes. This task was not easy, as they had to maintain balance at a great height while staying cautious of the bees. Raghu instructed Raju to work with patience and focus.
Slowly, both of them reached the top of the tree where the large hive was located. As the smoke reached the hive, the bees began to scatter, and the buzzing grew loud throughout the forest. By this time, the buckets had been sent up to Raghu via rope, and smoke had also been applied at the base. Still, some bees managed to reach the team, and before getting into the protective nets, 3–4 team members were stung.
Eventually, everyone managed to get under the nets. Suresh intensified the smoke, and within about half an hour, the bees had flown away. Raghu and Raju then carefully harvested the fresh honey of the season. After placing the hive along with the honey into the buckets, they lowered it using ropes. Outside, the team collected it, and we now had about 6 kilograms of pure, fresh, dark honey from the forest.
To extract the honey, the hives are first squeezed, then filtered through a cloth into a clean bucket. The remaining hive material is collected separately in a sack, which is later processed to produce beeswax.
In the forest, different teams were working simultaneously, and the air was filled with the constant buzzing of bees. Raghu’s team harvested 10–12 hives throughout the day, while the other five teams collectively collected about 80 hives. By evening, we had accumulated 350 kilograms of honey, and everyone was exhausted. Carrying all the equipment and honey-filled buckets, we headed back to our base. We would return the next day, and this process would continue for about 10–12 days.
Honey harvesting is not merely a task; it represents a profound connection between nature and humans. Bees help maintain the ecological balance through pollination, and the honey they produce is a priceless gift for humanity. Honey collection is an integral part of tribal culture. It not only provides them with economic support but also preserves their traditional knowledge and skills. While performing this work, we must respect and protect nature.
Until next time, in the next forest!
