China is stepping up its efforts to protect rare and endangered plant species, handing down strict penalties to those who illegally collect these precious plants. 🌱⚖️
In 2022, a visitor hiking in Beijing's Mentougou District was captivated by the beauty of Clematis acerifolia, a native and endangered species. Unable to resist, she took a cluster of these pretty flowers home, only to find herself in custody for her actions. Unfortunately, the plant did not survive after being removed from its natural rocky cliff habitat, highlighting the fragile balance of such ecosystems.
This case isn't isolated. In 2023, three individuals were imprisoned and fined for illegally harvesting 2,500 kilograms of Cibotium barometz, also known as woolly fern, in Guizhou Province. Despite being listed as a second-class, state-protected plant species, the fern is often illegally collected for medicinal use, threatening its survival.
China's stringent enforcement of plant protection laws aims to preserve its rich biodiversity for future generations. 🌏💚
