In Moscow and its surroundings, there is a strict legal framework governing the collection and trade of primroses that are listed in the Red Book. Local observers note that residents who gather these protected plants risk facing administrative or criminal consequences. This nuance was explained by a lawyer interviewed on Moscow 24, who highlighted that the scope of protected species includes several varieties of snowdrops, certain kinds of wood anemone, some corydalis species, and lungwort. The message is clear: even well-intentioned acts can trigger penalties if they involve protected flora.
The legal guidance stresses that liability can attach not only to deliberate offenses but also to inadvertent actions. In such cases, fines may apply: individuals could be fined between 2,500 and 5,000 rubles, while officials may face penalties from 15,000 to 20,000 rubles, and legal entities from 500,000 to 1,000,000 rubles. The lawyer underscored that the sale or purchase of these plants is also a punishable act, regardless of intent, reinforcing the broad reach of the statutory provisions and the seriousness with which authorities treat plant protection in urban and rural spaces alike.
Under Article 260.1 of the Criminal Code, criminal liability is triggered by intentional actions against primroses. The penalties can be significant and varied, reflecting the offence’s impact on biodiversity and public order. A person found guilty of intentional harm could face up to 480 hours of compulsory labor, as well as potential additional penalties such as correctional labor, or even a prison sentence of up to four years. For some cases, a substantial fine could accompany these penalties, reaching up to one million rubles, underscoring the serious nature of violations against protected plant species.
The severity of sanctions can rise when digital tools or the offender’s official position are involved. If the Internet is used to facilitate the offense or if a public official abets or exploits a position to advance the act, the punishment could be more severe. The lawyer pointed out that coordinated actions among multiple participants, especially when preplanned or publicly displayed as guilt, can intensify charges and penalties, signaling a strong stance against collective wrongdoing in the horticultural and ecological sphere.
Recent local reports describe another concerning incident in Moscow, where anonymous individuals allegedly stole early-blooming snowdrops from the Apothecary Garden within the Moscow State University Botanical Garden. The theft occurred around mid-March, at a time when primroses were beginning to flower along the garden’s avenues and borders. Such thefts not only deprive the community of natural beauty but also disrupt efforts to study and conserve plant diversity in urban botanical spaces, which are increasingly used for education and public enjoyment. This incident serves as a reminder of the vigilance required to protect vulnerable plantings in public and quasi-public spaces.
In related developments, biotechnology researchers have explored methods to study and illustrate plant biology. Some projects have used biotechnological approaches to demonstrate how certain flowers respond to environmental cues, and in some cases, researchers have explored fluorescence as a visual indicator of plant processes. These scientific endeavors, while distinct from legal protections, highlight the broader context in which plant species are studied and appreciated, reinforcing the value of preserving biodiversity and respecting legal safeguards that exist to protect vulnerable flora in Moscow and beyond. (Source: Moscow 24)”