13 million tenge fine for a dandelion? Ecology Ministry explains which plants can lead to penalties

Recent discussions on social media regarding hefty fines for picking dandelions have prompted clarification from Kazakhstan's Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. Vice Minister Nurken Sharbiyev has explained that the substantial penalties, which have circulated widely, are exclusively for the unauthorized collection of plants listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan.

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The fine applies to Red Book dandelions. (...) Picking any Red Book plants carries a fine of 3,000 monthly calculation indices (12,975,000 tenge in 2026)

Sharbiyev detailed that the fine for picking any Red Book species is set at 3,000 monthly calculation indices, which translates to a significant 12,975,000 tenge in 2026. He emphasized that these stringent measures are not arbitrary but are crucial for the preservation of rare and endangered flora. The vice minister noted that the fine was significantly increased in 2019 to deter the destruction of these vulnerable species, highlighting that even the picking of a few plants can have a devastating impact, potentially leading to their complete disappearance.

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These are rare plants on the verge of extinction, which is why such fines are предусмотрены. The fine was increased tenfold in 2019 at the initiative of deputies and now amounts to 3,000 MCI in order to prevent the destruction of Red Book plants, namely rare and endangered species

The ministry's explanation aims to dispel misinformation and inform the public about the specific regulations. Red Book dandelions, and other protected plants, are primarily found in the southern regions of Kazakhstan. This initiative reflects Kazakhstan's commitment to biodiversity conservation and underscores the importance of respecting environmental regulations to protect the nation's natural heritage for future generations. The high fines serve as a strong deterrent against actions that threaten these fragile ecosystems.

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In other words, roughly speaking, if ten dandelions are picked, these plants could disappear entirely