Attappadi Honey turns sweeter for Forest Department

Mannarkkad: The wild honey collected from the tribal honey hunters proved sweeter for the Kerala Forest Department as it records an annual turnover of Rs 3,78,950 through sales. The purified wild honey is sold under the label ‘Attappadi Honey’ as part of a project launched to ensure better wages for the tribal people by the Mannarkkad Forest Division’s Eco Development wing. 

The project was launched in June 2023. The wild honey is collected through tribal forest protection committees. After the purification at the honey treatment unit at Mukkali, the honey will be bottled and
sold by Malleeswara VanDhan Vikas Kendra.

The treatment and packing are done by tribals only. Once the impurities and water content are completely removed, it will taken to market as a hundred per cent natural value-added product. 

The honey is being purchased from the tribals at a rate of Rs 650 per kilogram. The treated honey is sold at a price of Rs 1000 per kilogram. A total of 510 kilograms of honey was collected from the tribal honey hunters within 9 months. An amount of Rs 33,1500 was distributed among them. 

The period between April and September is the season of wild honey. The tribal honey hunters live inside deep forests for around two weeks to collect honey.

The honey was collected from the forest protection committees of Kadukumanna, Dhanyam, Moolkombu, Melechavadiyoor, Mannarkkad and Palakkayam. The Attappadi Honey is sold at the Forest Department’s eco shops at Anaikatti, Kanjirapuzha and Thodukappu. 

The Forest Department authorities informed that the honey has a one-year shelf life.