Paharia Wild Honey of Jharkhand Tribal Communities

Wild honey collection by the Paharia tribal community of Rajmahal Hills in Santhal Pargana division of Jharkhand is a traditional livelihood and ecological practice. Paharia honey hunters scale cliff faces using cane ropes to reach giant Apis dorsata rock honeybee combs. The honey is smoked out at night using torch grass and harvested into bamboo containers. Wild forest honey from Jharkhand is polyfloral — collected from diverse forest flowers including mahua, kendu, and sal — giving it distinctive flavour and high antioxidant content. FSSAI food safety certification for wild honey requires testing for residues, which tribal cooperative honey passes due to zero pesticide use in forest combs. JharCraft and Jharkhand Tribal Cooperative have begun formalising wild honey as a premium forest product for urban and export markets. Tribal honey commands Rs 400 to Rs 800 per kilogram at premium outlets.