An administrative fine of 601.712 TL was imposed to those collecting salep from nature in Ağrı by the teams of the Directorate General for Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMPGM) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
During a passenger check on a passenger bus in Ağrı, two foreign nationals were busted with 610 kilograms of orchid tubers in 23 sacks and each of them was imposed administrative fine of 300.856 TL accounting for a total of 601.712 TL pursuant to the Environmental Law No. 2872.
Orchid tubers were handed over to the Ağrı Provincial Directorate of DKMPGM after drafting of a report by the police teams.
In accordance with to the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Endangered Species (CITES), it is not permitted to collect salep from nature which falls under the list of endangered and protected species. Removal of root tubers of salep and wild orchid and their collection for commercial purposes, pose the risk of extinction of these endemic plants in time.