Satkhira: During Covid 19 a total 200 tons honey and 80 tons of waxof has been collected from Satkhira Range area of ​​Sundarbans. The revenue of the government has been collected Tk. 15 lakh 4 thousand 85 through honey collection. And the revenue collected from the wax sector is Tk. 6 lakh 1 thousand 950. The total revenue collected from honey and beeswax has been Tk. 21 lakh 8 thousand 625.

Sultan Ahmed, SO of Burigoalini Forest Range, Satkhira said there was no impact on honey collection from the Sundarbans even during the Corona period.

Among the honey collected is honey from Khalisha, Bain and Garan flowers. These honey collected from the Sundarbans are in great demand in the domestic market. 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.

Mouyal Abdur Rashid of Gabura Union in Shyamnagar Upazila said, "We entered the forest by renting a boat with an interest loan of Tk 1 lakh from a money lender." Then the moneylenders bought the honey collected from the Sundarbans at wholesale. The moneylender pays Tk. 350-360 per kg of Khalisha flower honey. And the honey price of Bain, Gibo and Garan flowers is Tk. 300-350. But this honey is sold in the market at Tk. 600-700 or a thousand per kg.

The wholesale honey sellers said that honey is sold through orders. After collecting the pure honey from the Sundarbans, 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. Among them there are about 5 thousand Mouyals. Outbreaks of corona virus have had no effect on honey collection from the Sundarbans.

Mouals 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 due to stroke at Satkhira Ranch while fishing, he said.