Moldsilva forestry agency of Moldova to boost guard of rare plants

Chisinau, 14 February /MOLDPRES/ - The Moldsilva forestry agency has issued an order on measures of protection of species of plans with special protection regime. The institution’s actions are boosted especially on the period of early spring, when vernal plants bloom, which are sold massively and illicitly.   

Under the order, the Agency will organize operative control groups at the level of subordinated forest entities. They will make raids and will be empowered to stop the collection and sale of plants protected by the state, including flowers, buds, stems, branches, roots, bulbs, rhizomes, etc. The minimum fine seen for these infringements is 2,000 lei.   

At the same time, a regime of permanent monitoring of the places of flora’s growing is announced in the nature reserves Codrii (Forests), Pădurea Domnească (Princely Wood), Plaiul Fagului, Lower Prut, other protected areas.    

The institution’s management relies also on the support of citizens, who are asked to contact the hotline (022-211-311), if they discover infringements.     

“The measures undertaken by Moldsilva are motivated by the fostering, on the period of February-March, of the illegal sale of rare vernal plants (snowdrops, crocus, wood tulips, pasqueflowers, etc.), which are recorded in the Red Book of Moldova,” a press officer of the Moldsilva Agency, Mariana Bujag, has told MOLDPRES.       

According to the institution, traditionally, the most crowded points of illicit sale of spring flowers are in Chisinau and on the national roads to Leuseni, Orhei, Calarasi and Ungheni.

Over 150 species of flowers, included in the special protection regime, are registered in the national forest fund.