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Sunderbans is the biggest provider of Honey
in the state. Apiary honey available in the region is collected
in a specific period when forest department allows access
to the forests between October to December. About 1000 honey
collectors are given permits to collect honey and wax. The
guidelines for JFM in Sundarbans says that the members who
want to harvest honey from combs can only sell it to the forest
department. The villagers are paid a pre determined collection
fees. The honey is then processed by the WBFDC through filtration
and marketed.
The primary objective of monopoly is to prevent exploitation
of primary collectors by traders. The actual reason however
could be that honey is available in a concentrated area and
it being easier to manage can give good returns. Also in practice,
the monopoly is not strictly enforced and people sale to private
parties as per their need. Though the price offered by the
forest department acts as a floor price (Rs. 40 a Kg last
year).
The figure below gives the procurement of
honey by the forest department. As can be seen, honey procurement
has stabilised and the department still expects a rise in
procurement.
Fugure : Outturn
of Honey and Wax in Forest Areas (in Quintals)
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