How People In Nepal Risk Their Lives To Find 'Mad Honey

The Video explores the fascinating world of honey hunting in the remote cliffs of the Himalayas in Nepal. It delves into the perilous process of harvesting the rarest honey in the world, known as mad honey, its cultural significance to the indigenous Gurung people, and the challenges they face in preserving this ancient tradition amidst increasing global demand and environmental changes.

[How People In Nepal Risk Their Lives To Find 'Mad Honey | Business Insider](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajG3eMB5AJM)

- The rarest honey in the world, known as mad honey, is found at high altitudes in remote cliffs in the Himalayas of Nepal.
- Indigenous people called the Gurungs have been the sole harvesters of this honey for centuries, considering it a significant part of their culture and believing in its healing properties.
- The honey-hunting process involves hanging by rope ladders, enduring the risk of an 800-foot plunge, and smoking out bees to access the honeycombs.
- Man Bahadur Gurung, a honey hunter, leads the three-day-long honey-hunting ritual in the village of Sildhunga, situated 20,000 feet above sea level.
- The honey is highly valued globally, with a 32-ounce bottle selling for $300 in the US.
- The honey is called mad honey because it can induce hallucinations, attributed to the neurotoxin in the nectar of rhododendron flowers that the bees feed on.
- Climate change, natural disasters, and unpredictable flower blooming patterns are affecting the bee population and reducing honey production.
- Overharvesting by foreign groups has become a concern, leading the Gurungs to take measures to regain control of their land and honey.
- Honey hunting is a tradition passed down through generations in Nepal, and it has been used for medicinal purposes since 1300 BC.
- Despite the economic challenges and the allure of jobs abroad, honey hunting holds cultural significance for the Gurungs, and they hope to pass on the tradition to future generations.