The Moual Honey Hunters of the Sundarbans

Deep inside the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, lives a community whose livelihood depends on wild bees: the Mouals. Their knowledge has been passed down for generations.

The honey season

The official honey season begins on 1 April, when the Forest Department issues collection permits. Groups of seven to ten Mouals set off by wooden boat for two to three weeks inside the forest.

A dangerous job

The Sundarbans is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, crocodiles and fast tides. Mouals always work in groups, keep watch for each other and rely on deep knowledge of the forest to stay safe.

How wild honey is collected

1. Collectors follow bees flying back to their hive through the mangrove trees.
2. A bundle of dry leaves is lit to create smoke, which calms the giant rock bees.
3. Only the honey-filled part of the comb is cut. The brood section with young bees is left behind.
4. The honey is squeezed by hand into clean containers and brought back by boat.

Sustainable harvesting

Leaving part of the hive is the most important rule. It allows the colony to recover and keeps the bee population healthy for the next season.

Honey of every season

Depending on which trees are blooming, the Mouals bring back very different honey. Learn about Khalisha, Goran, Keora and Bain honey.

From the forest to your home

Mangrove Collection works directly with Moual families, paying fair prices and bringing their raw honey straight to you, with no middlemen and no mixing.

Frequently asked questions

When is honey collected in the Sundarbans?

The main season runs from April to June, starting with Khalisha honey in early April.

Is Sundarban honey wild?

Yes. It is made by wild giant rock bees (Apis dorsata) nesting in the mangrove forest.

Ready to taste the difference? Buy honey collected by Moual families, sourced directly from the Sundarbans and delivered across Bangladesh.