DUSHANBE, December 3, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Deputies of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) have endorsed amendments to the country’s administrative and criminal codes requiring administrative and in some cases criminal punishment for illegal collection of ferula.  

A regular sitting of the fifth session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the third convocation, presided over by its speaker, Saydullo Khairuloyev, was held on December 3.  

Ms. Khadicha Hakimova, member of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Committee on Constitution, Legislation and Human Rights, presenting the amendments noted that various local companies, private individuals as well as foreign nationals had destroyed 138,160 bushes of ferula on an area of totaling 282.8 hectares in the country in recent years.  She added that extension of areas under ferula of processing and export of it could bring considerable income to the national budget.  

 In the meantime, speaking to reporters after the sitting, MP Mahmadali Vatanov said that amendments made to the administrative and criminal codes stipulate that illegal collection of ferula is now punishable by fine in an amount of 700 minimal monthly wages, barring from being engaged in this type of activity and in case of aggravated circumstances by up to two years in jail.