Environmental authorities in Mérida, Venezuela, have activated a special monitoring plan in anticipation of the Christmas holidays. The operation, part of the "Christmas without moss" campaign, contemplate severe fines for those who extract or trade moss and fernselements that are usually used in nativity scenes.
According to confirmation from the regional office of the Ministry of Ecosocialism (Minec), the economic sanctions They will range between 3.000 and 10.000 tax unitsAccording to figures released by local media, this range translates into amounts that, depending on the exchange rate, can reach several hundred dollars.
What behaviors are subject to penalty?
The operation covers the entire chain of illegal exploitation: collection, transport, sale and profit with moss, ferns, Spanish moss, and other plant materials used in nativity scenes. The project will focus on areas of high ecological value and identified points of sale.
The environmental authority emphasized that it is not simply a matter of preventing field collection, but of cutting off the entire flow. Consequently, those who offer or distribute these resources They are also subject to penalties, as are those who transport them without permits.
The increased controls are justified by the rise in seasonal demand. The aim is to prevent practices that, although traditional, they generate a negative impact on local ecosystems when they are carried out without regulation.
Legal framework and role of the authorities
The campaign is based on the Official Gazette 4.305 (2013)which prohibits the extraction and sale of certain natural resources. The Ministry of Ecosocialism (Minec) in Mérida, headed by Yeibert Castillo, coordinates information, inspection, and enforcement actions with other agencies.
In addition to Mérida, the deployment reaches states such as Miranda, Aragua, Trujillo, Táchira and CaracasWith operations underway and preventative notices issued to the public and businesses, the message is clear: the removal and sale of moss and ferns is not permitted during this time.
Authorities have reiterated that the public has been warned and that, if there is oversight, There will be no surprisesThe planned measures will be applied.
Along with the controls, a pedagogical line so that the population chooses alternative materials in their Christmas decorations, thus avoiding pressure on natural resources.
Ranges of fines and indicative equivalencies
The sanctions scheme provides for fines from 3.000 to 10.000 UTMedia reports such as Unión Radio indicate that, based on recent references, the minimum would be around 129.000 bolivars and the maximum could approach 430.000 bolivars, roughly equivalent to between 545 and 1.817 dollars.
These figures are for reference purposes only. They depend on the current exchange rate and the applicable tax unit. In any case, the institutional message is that the cost of breaking the law far outweighs any economic benefit of the extraction.
The Ministry of Economy reminds that sanctions can be accumulated if they occur simultaneously. several violations (for example, collection and marketing), and that the procedures include seizures and administrative actions.
Sustainable Christmas: options for the nativity scene
To maintain tradition without harming the environment, alternatives such as the following are recommended: artificial moss, cultivated plant fibersBark, cork, paper, cardboard, or recycled materials. There are also inert decorative substrates that mimic natural textures without ecological impact.
Those seeking a more natural finish can turn to certified nursery plants and products with traceability. The key is to avoid extraction from nature and prioritize legal and sustainable inputs.
Local environmental associations also suggest reuse decorations from previous years and opt for minimalist designs that reduce the consumption of materials.
Why protect moss and ferns
Moss contributes to retain moisture, stabilize soils and create microhabitats for invertebrates and associated flora. Its massive extraction impoverishes the soil, accelerates erosion, and affects other species.
Ferns, for their part, fulfill functions in the forest dynamics and in the regeneration of degraded areas. Extracting them without control alters ecological processes and can contribute to the loss of biodiversity.
Furthermore, the demand concentrated in just a few weeks of the year causes intense point pressure on fragile areas, hindering their natural recovery.
Recommendations and channels of action
If irregular extraction or sale is detected, the appropriate course of action is inform the environmental authorities from the state of Mérida or to nearby security forces. The operations will be active during the Christmas season, with special attention to markets and transportation routes.
Businesses and citizens can request guidance from the Ministry of Economy on permitted alternative materials and best practices for low-impact decorations.
The institutional campaign insists on combining awareness and oversight to keep traditions alive without compromising the natural heritage.
With the start of the holiday season, Mérida and other Venezuelan states are increasing surveillance to curb the extraction of moss and ferns: fines of up to 10.000 UT, legal protection in Gazette 4.305 and a call to opt for sustainable alternatives, which constitute the focus of an initiative that seeks to protect ecosystems without giving up on livelihoods.