The Venezuelan environmental administration has launched the campaign “Christmas Without Moss, in Peace and with Sovereignty” to curb the extraction and trade of wild plants used in nativity scenes and Christmas decorations. The goal is stop the extraction, transport and sale of these resources during the December season, reinforcing surveillance in areas of high ecological value.
The measure is based on the Resolution 000175 (Official Gazette No. 40.305)which prohibits the use of mosses and related species for their role in the water regulation, erosion prevention and the protection of biodiversity in forests and moorlands. Authorities are appealing to public awareness and the adoption of sustainable alternatives in Christmas decorations.
Why is ecological protection being strengthened?
The Ministry for Ecosocialism emphasizes that mosses are indicators of the health status of ecosystems and they perform key functions in moisture retention and soil protection. The country records 232 genera and 1.012 species of mosses, which demonstrates their high diversity and the need to preserve their habitats against extraction for decorative purposes.
The Ecosocialism office has emphasized that the campaign has a preventative and educational component: inform, raise awareness and reduce pressure regarding these plants. The official statement calls for avoiding sanctions and not contributing to the loss of ecological functions, aligning actions with commitments to the climate crisis.
Protected species and prohibited practices
The regulations prohibit the extraction, transport, sale, and use of species commonly used in nativity scenes and mangers. Protected plants include: mosses, lichens, bryophytes, tree ferns, Spanish beard, frailejones and bromeliads, whose removal from the natural environment causes imbalances in forests and moors.
- Mosses and other bryophytes
- lichens
- Tree ferns
- Wooden beard
- Frailejones
- bromeliads
Mass extraction for seasonal decorations weakens the vegetation coverIt exposes the soil to erosion and affects water availability in mountain ecosystems, so interventions focus on the points with the greatest collection pressure.
Areas where operations are being intensified
The enforcement operations are concentrated in areas identified as critical: El Junquito (Caracas), Colonia Tovar (Aragua) and the states of Miranda, Táchira, and Mérida and Trujillo. Inspections will be reinforced in these territories. forests and moors, with the presence of mixed teams and preventive patrols; these actions are a reminder actions and progress in the control of the water hyacinth in reservoirs as an example of control operations.
Local environmental authorities have indicated that Trujillo It is especially vulnerable to illegal harvesting at this time of year, so control measures and information campaigns for citizens and decoration businesses will be strengthened.
Who oversees the process and what sanctions are contemplated?
The operation is being led by the Environmental Nursery of the Bolivarian National Guard, with support from CICPC, Environmental Division of the Bolivarian National Police’s most emblematic landmarks, the Public ministry and Directorate of Biological DiversityThese bodies will coordinate checkpoints, inspections and seizures, as well as training activities.
According to Article 154 of the Forestry LawThose who fail to comply will face fines between 3.000 and 10.000 tax unitsThe imposition of five educational talks or socio-environmental work, measures aimed at repairing the damage and preventing recurrence.
Decorating without extracting: responsible alternatives
To maintain traditions without harming the environment, the ministry encourages people to opt for reusable and low-impact materials: recycled papers and cardboards to simulate floors, sustainably grown plant fibers, fabrics and fallen natural elements (without uprooting plants), as well as cork or certified wood bases.
In addition, prioritization is recommended local suppliers with good practices and reuse the decorations each year, thus reducing the demand that encourages extraction from fragile areas. Following these guidelines, it's possible to create nativity scenes and decorations with a similar aesthetic. without compromising ecosystems.
The “Moss-Free Christmas” campaign combines a legal basis, operational presence, and environmental education to protect key species and their ecological functionsWith targeted controls and deterrent sanctions, the authorities seek to ensure that the festivities take place responsibly, promoting sustainable alternatives and curbing the pressure on the most sensitive forests and moorlands.