G-B forest dept asserts control over wild herbs, warns against smuggling

GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan Forest, Wildlife & Environment Department has announced plans to introduce a new harvesting model for wild herbs across the region, with District Astore serving as the pilot area.

Astore district is home to several high-value medicinal herbs that have been threatened by overharvesting and illegal trade. Among the most sought-after species are Kakoli (wild garlic), various Artemisia species including Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia maritima, Echinops echinatus, Angelica glauca, and Picrorhiza kurrooa. These plants are particularly valued in traditional Ayurvedic and folk medicine practices for their therapeutic properties.

In a statement of Wednesday, the forest department issued a stern warning against the illegal harvesting and smuggling of wild herbs, particularly in the upper Astore region and adjoining areas, emphasizing that all forest produce is the exclusive property of the government under the Gilgit-Baltistan Forest Act, 2019.

The department said under the Gilgit-Baltistan Forest Act 2019, all rights to forest produce are exclusively owned by the government. It said harvesting and local use of such resources—including medicinal plants—are only permitted through official authorization and in compliance with regulations.

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According to the Gilgit-Baltistan Forest Act, 2019 Section 3, “all forests and their lands, alpine and subalpine pastures and pasture lands, rangelands, watershed areas, wastelands, glaciers, rivers, river-beds, and wetlands as defined and included in the definition of Forest under this Act or the Rules made thereunder, their biodiversity, vegetation, wild animals, wildlife, geodiversity, landscape features and the ecosystem products and services of such areas and which have either been declared as Protected Forests or over which Government of Gilgit-Baltistan has proprietary rights, found anywhere in Gilgit-Baltistan shall be the property of Government of Gilgit-Baltistan”.

“This year, the department plans to carry out a scientifically managed harvesting process of wild herbs through an open tender to ensure sustainable harvesting and prevent ecological damage caused by unscientific methods,” reads the statement.

The department said the move aims to curb illegal activities by smuggling mafias and protect endangered plant species from complete depletion. It said the approved regional conservation committees of the concerned areas would be involved throughout this process.

“Any unauthorized harvesting prior to or outside the tender process constitutes a criminal offense,” warned a department spokesperson, noting violations carry penalties of imprisonment and substantial fines. The department urged the residents to await official procedures and coordinate with recognized local committees.