RAFHA: The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority on Sunday launched the fifth annual beekeeping season for 2026 to empower the local community and regulate beekeeping within the reserve.

The launch supports the authority’s goals of biodiversity conservation, sustainable environmental practices, and economic returns for beekeepers, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

This year’s season includes three main periods linked to spring flowers, acacia, and sidr, with each period’s start date serving as the deadline for participation applications.

The authority urged beekeepers to review the season details and join scheduled virtual meetings to ensure organized participation under the approved regulations.

The beekeeping season also promotes ecotourism by showcasing the reserve’s scenic and pristine environment, reinforcing its status as a unique ecotourism hub.

Covering 91,500 sq. km, the reserve is the Kingdom’s second-largest royal protected area, home to diverse wildlife, plants, and trees, and featuring several ancient historical and heritage sites.