April 27, Manang – Among the world’s most daring and risky undertakings is the harvesting of cliff honey. This hazardous activity takes place in districts such as Lamjung, Gorkha, and Myagdi in Gandaki Province. Among these, Lamjung district is best known for cliff honey hunting. Near Mipragau in Marsyangdi Rural Municipality-4, locals risk their lives by hanging on ropes to extract honey from cliff bee nests at Chipli Cliff. This practice has attracted not only local residents but also tourists. Locals have shared that they engage in cliff honey collection with the intent to keep their traditional occupation alive.
Local hunter Tek Bahadur Gurung states that the tradition of cliff honey harvesting is being maintained through generational transfer. Previously, only elders participated in this task, but now passing knowledge to the younger generation is a priority to sustain the practice. “Cliff honey is used as medicine. We have been extracting honey from the cliffs taking risks for its medicinal benefits,” Gurung explained. He added that there is high demand for cliff honey. Typically, the honey is harvested twice a year.
According to Gurung, “The first phase of honey collection takes place between the last week of Baisakh and the second week of Jestha, and the second phase happens from the last week of Ashoj through the second week of Kartik. There is a tradition that honey collection takes place only on Fridays. When honey is abundant, the process can extend over two days.” In preparation for the hunt, villagers bring wood from the forest on specific dates to make platforms called “choya” which are then shaped into ladders. These ladders, made by heating the wood, are assembled by villagers and can be used for three to four years.
Once the ladders are ready, the villagers venture together to the cliffs for honey hunting. This activity is known worldwide as one of the most adventurous professions and has become a major attraction for foreign tourists, generating income for the village, explained hunter Min Bahadur Gurung. “Earlier, only the face was covered during honey extraction, but now the entire body is protected, which has reduced the risks,” he said. Gurung added that cliff honey acts as therapy when bees sting lightly, but intense stings can be life-threatening.
Initially, cliff honey was used medicinally and mostly limited to local usage. With human development, clothing styles have changed, and the trend of full-body coverings during honey collection has increased, making the process safer, locals said. What was once a locally restricted activity has now attracted foreign tourists as well, said Gurung. Visitors come to witness the hunting of cliff honey, noted the villagers. Highlighting the need to preserve and sustain this natural and adventurous practice, Kemal, a citizen from Turkey, said, “This is a risky activity, but the bravery of the local people here has captivated everyone. We must link this natural risk with income generation.” Kemal expressed his pleasure witnessing local courage during the honey harvesting process. “I felt scared even when I saw some bees on the honey I collected. Nepalese people are truly brave, something I understood with my own eyes.”
The demand for cliff honey continues to increase not only due to the tradition but also because of its medicinal qualities. The necessity to continue this practice is clear. Developing it as a natural product to generate income while promoting and protecting this tradition is evident. Attention must be given to preserving this legacy and turning it into a center of attraction for foreign tourists.
