Nepal’s Honey Traditions in Transition: Adapting to a Changing Climate

Wild Honey in Nepal

For centuries, the cliffs of Nepal’s mid-hills and Himalayan foothills have echoed with the chants of honey gatherers, scaling dizzying heights on handmade bamboo ladders to harvest the prized wild honey of the Apis laboriosa—the world’s largest honeybee. This high-altitude tradition, practiced primarily by indigenous groups such as the Gurung community, is more than a livelihood. It is a sacred ritual, a cultural heritage, and a symbol of harmonious coexistence with nature.

But that harmony is increasingly under threat.

In recent years, honey gatherers have returned to the cliffs only to find fewer hives, less honey, and increasing environmental uncertainty. The once-abundant rock faces, festooned with golden colonies, are becoming barren. The reasons are layered and complex—rooted in the cascading effects of climate change, deforestation, unsustainable tourism, and chemical use in agriculture.

The Vanishing Bees

Nepal’s wild bees, particularly the cliff-dwelling Apis laboriosa, are uniquely adapted to the rugged, high-altitude landscapes of the Himalayas. But these bees are extraordinarily sensitive to environmental fluctuations. Warmer winters, erratic rainfall, and shifting bloom periods of native plants have thrown off their seasonal rhythms. Nectar flow is reduced, and so is the bees' ability to build colonies or produce honey in the quantities once expected.

Combined with deforestation for development and road construction, as well as competition from domestic honeybee species, the fragile ecosystems where wild bees thrive are under increasing strain. And with fewer colonies to harvest, the ancient tradition of wild honey gathering is fading.

From Tradition to Innovation

While the decline in wild bee populations poses a threat to cultural practices, it has also sparked innovation among Nepali honey communities. Many harvesters, once solely dependent on cliff honey, are now exploring more sustainable approaches to preserve both bees and heritage.

One such adaptation is the integration of domesticated beekeeping. Farmers and local honey cooperatives are investing in hives of Apis cerana and Apis mellifera—two species better suited to managed environments. These bees are easier to rear, produce honey more regularly, and reduce the physical risks associated with cliff-based gathering. While this domesticated honey does not carry the mystique or market value of wild honey, it offers consistency and safety.

Moreover, conservation groups and local NGOs are beginning to promote forest regeneration efforts, encouraging communities to plant nectar-rich flora and restore the natural habitats on which wild bees depend. These grassroots movements aim to balance modern livelihoods with ecological restoration, creating a long-term path forward for both bees and people.

A Broader Symbol

The story of Nepal’s honey gatherers is more than a localized issue of declining harvests. It mirrors a global reality: traditional ways of life, deeply rooted in harmony with ecosystems, are increasingly disrupted by the unpredictable impacts of climate change. And yet, within this disruption lies a powerful example of resilience.

The Gurung honey gatherers are not abandoning their traditions—they are evolving them. By embracing sustainable beekeeping, promoting biodiversity, and sharing their story with a broader audience, they are not only preserving their heritage but also offering a model of adaptation that many can learn from.

Sweet Lessons for the Future

Nepal’s wild honey is more than a sweet delicacy; it is a reminder of the delicate interconnection between culture, nature, and climate. As these connections come under pressure, the communities who have long lived in balance with the land are leading the way in rethinking how tradition and sustainability can walk hand in hand.

If supported through awareness, policy, and ethical tourism, the path forward could be one where Nepal’s honey heritage thrives not despite the challenges, but because of how they are met—with wisdom, respect, and innovation.