International aloe vera smuggling, which is worth more than a million dollars, has led to a historic court ruling that could convert how to protect rare plants worldwide, Guardian I mentioned.
What happened?
In February 2020, the Italian police discovered more than 1,000 rare cactus at Andrea Bumbeti’s house, a well -known plant mosque called “Aloe Pirates King”. Besides Mattia Kresinsini, Pumpetty smuggled plants from Chile through Greece and Romania before selling it to university across Europe, Asia and North America.
Andrea Katabriga, an aloe expert who helped get to know the stolen samples, said, ” BBC. Some aloe vera was larger than the smugglers themselves, as only one centimeter grows annually in the harsh desert conditions.
Why is the cactus smuggling in relation to?
The trade of illegal plants threatens biological diversity in some of the most unique ecosystems on Earth.
“The collection of some samples can really affect the species that may face extinction. But every form of living in the desert is important because it is a very selective environment where the biological diversity is very complicated,” explains Cactus Andrea Catabriga.
Local volunteer Mauricio Gonzales describes how maintenance in the Chilean desert in Atacama can wipe the entire species: “Sometimes the volunteers hide their favorite factories under the lists of rocks to hide them from potential fishermen. Since aloe vera tends to be very voted with small groups of residents who were found only in specific locations, the fishermen are They can get out of the whole types with some types of metaphors. “
Research indicates that 76 % of CopiaPoa species are threatened with extinction due to trafficking and global temperatures.
“They are very low,” says Pablo Guerrero, Aloe Vaccion researcher. “Some will become extinct in the wild soon. It is very dramatic.”
When the plant groups disappear, complete networks of insects and animals lose their nutritional sources and habitats. Human societies also suffer with the disappearance of natural attractions and ecosystems become less stable.
What is done about aloe vera smuggling?
The case created two exciting penetrations to protect the plant. First, about 840 stolen aloe vera was sent to Chile, one of the first known plants to be returned to its country of origin.
TCD Options »Emergency Spotlight
💡upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60 % on the distinctive brands of electronic bikes
More importantly, the court ruling that smugglers must pay 20,000 euros (about 21,594 dollars) for the Conservation Organization to repair the environmental damage it causes.
“We give the plants the right and the right not to destroy them, because they are creatures,” Catabriga said.
This approach is now explored in Uganda, the Philippines and Indonesia, creating a possible wave of “green litigation” as the fishermen pay the full environmental cost of their crimes.
You can help By researching the origin of any unusual plants before buying them, Support for memorization organizations Work to protect rare species, and report suspicious plant sales of local authorities.
Join the free newsletter Good news and Useful tipsAnd do not miss This wonderful list In easy ways to help yourself with the help of the planet.