Smuggling of exotic plants continues in Punjab despite restrictions

People associated with industry bring exotic, invasive species to Pakistan without govt’s approval

LAHORE: Owing to non-compliance with the rules and regulations, the government has stopped the import of foreign species of plants to Pakistan. The decision was taken after people associated with the floriculture sector were found importing various plants from abroad without acquiring reports from the National Plant Protection Authorities and Laboratories. The practice could potentially harm the local environment and could lead to the extinction of certain plants and herbs if invasive species are allowed to grow locally.

There are currently hundreds of nurseries in Punjab where exotic plants are sold in addition to local ones. Most people are unaware of it but all the available exotic plants have been illegally imported to Pakistan. As the alien plants started wreaking havoc to local species, the Plant Protection Department started taking stricter measures in the last three years and stopped the import of foreign plants without prior permission.

Nonetheless, the smuggling of exotic plants has continued unabated which often causes various diseases not only to plants but also to humans, including skin problems and asthma. Some types of exotic plants are for indoor use both for decorative purposes as well as for turning the home environment pleasant. Others are usually planted in backyards, gardens and green belts.

Exotic plants are imported from many countries, including China, Thailand, India, Holland, and Sri Lanka. The most popular ones include Lucky Bamboo, Anthurium (laceleaf), Bonsai, Canary Palm, Phoenix sylvestris (silver date palm), Copernicia (genus of date palms), Buxus (box plant), and Ilex (holly), among others.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Plant Protection Department’s Deputy Director Dr A.D Abid said no ban has been imposed to import any exotic plant. “Anyone can import exotic plants but they have to fulfil certain legal requirements,” he said. “Information related to the plants have to be acquired from the government, including the country of origin and the plant’s native environment, their required temperature for growth, types of flowers and fruits borne by the plants, and the types of insects that can potentially attack the plant species.”

He said that if the department finds out that exotic plants may affect or harm the local environment, may not be able to grow locally or attract pests that may spread to and destroy local crops and plants, then the import of such plants is not allowed.

“Unfortunately, instead of meeting the legal requirements, people related to the business want to import whatever they want, but that is not possible,” he said.

An owner of a well-known nursery in Lahore, who preferred not to be named, said the government has been banning the import of exotic plants for the past three years because of various diseases that are inherent to those plants.

“Nurseries currently have plants that were imported three years ago. Most plants are good for humans and the environment, but some are harmful. An exotic plant is available for between Rs1,000 and Rs100,000, but many exotic plants are worth more than Rs2.5 million to Rs3 million,” he said.

He added that import of all types of palm plants is banned all over the world and plants which are longer than five centimetres in length cannot be imported. “Similarly, if any plant has soil from another country, it cannot be imported and there are some other types of restriction to import exotic plants,” he explained.

There are no official records of exotic plants available in Pakistan, but it is estimated that 700 alien species of plants are available in the country, with many of them posing a threat to local plants and animals. The most important of these is the Gul toot, which causes allergies in humans.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2020.