The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority has said that 25,737 beehives spread across 256 sites in the reserve participate in the current beekeepers' season. According to the authority, the season aims to encourage the local community to get involved in and revive beekeeping, support a sustainable development of the local economy by developing local bee products, and encourage innovation, which contributes to creating new job opportunities and increasing the income of farmers and beekeepers. Since the launch of this year's beekeepers' season in early July, the authority has sought to highlight the role bees play in the ecosystem, in plant pollination and in preserving the biodiversity of the reserve, as well as the importance of generating honey products as an example of the contribution of natural resources to economic development, and to show commitment to protecting the environment and applying sustainability standards. So far, 109 permits have been issued to beekeepers, acc ording to the authority, which also said that Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve produces two of the finest types of honey in the reserve environment, namely Talh and Sidr, whose production continues until the end of September. Spring blossom honey production season begins in February and continues until the end of May. The beekeepers' season at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is a distinctive event that contributes to encouraging ecotourism in the reserve by highlighting its picturesque nature and its pure natural environment, consolidating the reserve's position as a unique ecotourism hub. The reserve is the second largest royal protected area, extending over 91,500 square kilometers in the northeastern region of the Kingdom; it is a natural habitat for wild organisms, and for many types of plants and trees. It also includes several ancient historical and heritage sites. Source: Saudi Press Agency
