AZE.US
People collecting wild berries, mushrooms or other forest products in restricted areas of Azerbaijan may face fines of up to 600 manats ($353).
However, the restriction does not amount to a nationwide ban on picking berries or mushrooms.
Under Article 53 of Azerbaijan’s Forest Code, individuals may collect wild fruits, berries, mushrooms, nuts, medicinal plants and other forest resources free of charge for personal use, unless separate restrictions apply.
Penalties can be imposed when products are collected in areas where such activity is prohibited or permitted only with a “forest ticket” – an official permit for using forest resources.
Article 257 of the Code of Administrative Offenses sets the following fines for unauthorized collection in those areas:
- individuals – 400 to 600 manats ($235 to $353);
- officials – 2,000 to 2,500 manats ($1,176 to $1,471);
- legal entities – 5,000 to 6,500 manats ($2,941 to $3,824).
The dollar equivalents are based on the official exchange rate of 1.7 manats to the U.S. dollar published by the Central Bank of Azerbaijan.
The rules drew criticism from Musavat TV host Sevinj Telmanqizi, who said the legislation does not provide sufficiently clear criteria for distinguishing personal collection from commercial harvesting.
“I came to collect two buckets of strawberries or two buckets of mushrooms. Maybe I have a large family. I will use one bucket for jam and another for compote. How will they determine whether I am collecting them for myself or for sale?” Telmanqizi said.
She also questioned the requirement to obtain permits in designated forest areas.
“A forest ticket, a concert ticket, a theater ticket – and now a forest ticket,” the host said.
Telmanqizi warned that the lack of measurable limits could lead to disputes between residents and enforcement authorities.
“As I read it, I see gaps. I feel they could be used against us,” she said.
Separate restrictions apply in specially protected natural areas and to rare or endangered plants listed in Azerbaijan’s Red Book. Commercial harvesting may also require authorization even when personal collection is allowed.
The central issue, therefore, is not whether Azerbaijanis may pick berries or mushrooms at all, but whether citizens can easily determine where permits are required and how authorities distinguish household use from collection for sale.
AZE.US