Sundarbans Mangrove Forest Honey Moule Tiger Ecology West Bengal

The Sundarbans in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal — the world's largest mangrove delta, shared between India and Bangladesh — produces a unique monofloral wild honey called Moule or Mou (Sundarbans honey) collected from the hives of Apis dorsata (giant honey bee) nesting on mangrove trees in the tidal creek forests by the Mawali honey collectors of the Bedia and Gope communities. The collection requires entering core tiger territory inside the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve and involves elaborate ritual propitiation of Bonbibi (the Forest Goddess) before entering the forest, wearing sacred clay and leaf garlands believed to protect against tigers. Mawali honey collectors work in groups of 5-7 men entering the forest by boat in April-June for honeycomb extraction, accepting significant tiger attack risk — the Sundarbans has the world's highest rate of human-tiger conflict, averaging 50-60 attacks annually. Sundarbans honey has an unusual dark amber colour and strong floral-saltwater taste from the Khalsi (Aegiceras), Goran (Ceriops), and Garjan (Dipterocarpus) mangrove blossoms. The honey is sold through 24 Parganas Janajagriti Cooperative at premium prices to Kolkata specialty food markets.