Water Lily Listed in the Red Book for Sale in Yerevan

The Ministry of Environment reports that it has received numerous alerts about the sale of water lilies, which are registered in the Red Book of the Republic of Armenia, on the streets of the capital city. Additionally, photographs taken by adventurers and tourists have surfaced online, depicting the disruption of ecological systems.

The agency reminds that the water lily is one of the most beautiful plants of the Armenian Highlands, and it is listed in Armenia's Red Book.

“Dear citizens, we urge you to treat this unparalleled beauty of nature with utmost care and responsibility, especially since it is included in the Red Book of the Republic of Armenia, and its preservation is also regulated by RA legislation,” the message states.

It is noted that according to Article 93 of the RA Code on Administrative Offenses, the unlawful collection of plants registered in the Red Book of the Republic of Armenia, or their roots, flowers, and fruits, results in penalties imposed on individuals amounting to eighty times the minimum wage (80,000 AMD), and on officials, one hundred fifty times the minimum wage (150,000 AMD).