Occupational Risk in Traditional Wild Honey Harvesting: A Case from Buloh Seuma, Indonesia

Wild honey harvesting represents a traditional method of utilizing non-timber forest products within the Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve, a practice that has been transmitted through generations in Buloh Seuma, Indonesia. In contrast to industrial timber harvesting, there is a lack of research on occupational safety in traditional forestry practices, particularly within wildlife reserves. This research has the objective to identify hazard sources and evaluate the risk level associated with traditional wild honey harvesting in Buloh Seuma. A qualitative methodology was employed, involving in-depth interviews with seven key informants, including pawang (honey harvesting leaders) and village heads, alongside field observations. The risk analysis utilized a semi-quantitative matrix that integrates frequency and severity scores, following a statistical-descriptive methodology. Findings reveal three significant activity stages associated with hazard potentials: forest expedition (8 sources), forest camping (4 sources), and tree climbing (6 sources). In Buloh Seuma, eight hazards have been identified, with two—falling from trees and bee stings—designated as high-risk. The local community exhibits adaptive capacity in mitigating these hazards; however, existing practices are predominantly intuitive and informal. The findings underscore the necessity of formulating context-specific and safer adaptive strategies for wild honey harvesters in Buloh Seuma.