LAMJUNG: With much fervor, locals of Marshyangdi rural municipality in the district on Friday organised a honey hunting ceremony at Chopli cliff nearby their settlements. Elated stakeholders went to the cliff early morning and paid reverence to the gods before letting the hunters embark on a Himalayan-honey-hunt that calls for true grit, dare and super human capabilities, all in abundance. Upon climbing the cliff, the hunters laid down their ropes that set through hanging trees like stairs growing in a treacherous slope of the cliff and let everyone present know that they were ready to hunt. According to tourism entrepreneur Nar Bahadur Gurung, few years back, villagers would fight each other to hunt honey from swarm of giant Himalayan bees (Apis dorsata laboriosa) found in the mountains and cliffs since ages . But it is difficult to find a skillful honey hunter these days. The honey hunting event was organised today in a bid to promote tourism in the region, added Gurung. Hunters- Dil Bahadur Gurung and Min Bahadur Gurung- who successfully killed the game today were also awarded Rs70,000 by two Indian nationals who witnessed their ordeal. “Earlier, honey hunters used to pursue the sport twice a year during Udhauli and Ubhauli festivals,” Dil Bahadur Gurung one of the hunters said, “However, honey hunting has now tied itself to tourism and the time of hunting now varies.” According to Ward Chair Suman Gurung, in line with the presence and admiration of domestic and foreign tourists for the sport, honey hunting is now organised once every year. Over the years, the rural municipality has established itself as a destination to indulge in the adventurous sport and honey hunting business that requires one to put his/her life at risk to reap sweet reward. Moreover, the honey gathered from the swarms in cliff corners has become a source of revenue for the locals. Despite the absence of youth in the village, elders have held on to the art of hunting and put their lives at risk for the love of the sport. The giant Himalayan bees and their swarms can be found in abundance in areas such as Siurung, Pasgaun, Ghanpokhara, Khudi, Tanghring, Bhulbhule, Bhujung, Naiche and Dudh Pokhari among others. The native Himalayan bees build hives at cliffs at an altitude of 1500 to 2500 metres from the sea level.