Honey extraction season has started in Sundarbans. On Monday (April 1), 38 boats were passed from Sarankhola range in East-Sundarbans on the first day. In the evening, 400 mowals left for forest with a fleet of boats.
Sharankhola station officer (SO) Nazrul Islam confirmed the matter.
He said that after checking everything, 38 boats were given passes on the first day. There are 10-12 anchors in each boat. A fleet of boats was sent to the forest under the guard of the forest department around 6 pm.
Yunus Howladar (70) of North Southkhali village has been collecting honey for almost 40 years. He said that this year the weather is better than other years. He hopes that more honey will be available.
Moual Rafiqul Islam of Sonatala village, Nazrul Islam of Chaulabunia village and others are also optimistic like him.
Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Sharankhola Range of East Sundarban Division Sheikh Mahabub Hasan said that on the first day a fleet of 38 boats was sent to the forest under the supervision of the Forest Department. There are 400 sailors in the fleet. Everyone is given a pass for 14 days. Passes will be issued daily from now on.
He also said that 9 instructions have been given to the Mauals for extracting mudh. A beekeeper shall not use fire, torches or similar inflammable substances and chemicals to drive away bees while collecting honey. Those who disobeyed this instruction were subject to severe penalties under the Forest Act.
ACF Sheikh Mahabub also said that the target of collecting 600 quintals of honey and 200 quintals of wax has been set this year.
SR/ASM
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