Extreme heat and drought threaten Iraq’s bees and honey production
Al Jazeera · Just In
Al Jazeera
Just In
In southern Iraq, bees once thrived among lush date palms along the Shatt al-Arab. But today, rising salinity, drought, and extreme heat are wiping out hives and devastating honey production in Basra.
Breakdown
- Rising salinity and heat have left Basra's farmland parched, threatening bee populations. 6s
- Bees require clean water, but increased salinity and stagnant water are causing hive deaths. 21s
- Saltwater intrusion has destroyed palm groves and many beehives along the riverbanks. 40s
- Officials warn honey production could drop by 50% compared to last year. 59s
- The decline in beekeeping threatens both the local economy and a centuries-old tradition. 1m 25s