Al Ain: The authorities have launched a campaign against unauthorised beekeepers and confiscated some 398 boxes used in apiaries from different places of the city.
Apiculture has been gaining in popularity due to the abundance of rich green farms in and outside the city. A number of people were found using wooden boxes as makeshift hives for honey harvesting in open areas, valleys, hills and flowers beds and even in residential areas.
Huzam Abdullah Al Daheri, head of solid waste at the Department of Public Health of Al Ain Municipality, said the action had been taken after complaints of bees attacking many people in residential areas.
The campaign was launched two days ago and it would continue until the elimination of all unauthorised apiaries.
He said the apiaries were also hurting the city's clean image. "Al Ain has set to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the city as part of the strategic plan as well as to ensure the public safety," he added.
The department has also initiated a public awareness drive by distributing leaflets saying beekeeping or apiculture is banned in the open areas of the city. People interested in this hobby must take the apiarists away from the residential areas of the city.
Mohammad Hashim Mirghani, Head of services and emergency at the department, said inspection units have been visiting different localities of the city and they will take action against the violators. He said people can place beekeeping boxes inside their private farms and not in the public areas.
Violations
People have been asked to inform about the presence of any apiarist in their vicinity to the municipality's emergency centre by calling 993.
