Fine imposed for mayor's unauthorized tulip photograph session, accompanied by a monetary penalty.
Spotted with a Bouquet: Investigation Launched Against Mugalar District's Akim
In a recent stir, an administrative inquiry has been initiated against the district's akim of Kudabergen Zhubanov rural district in Mugalar District, Lazzat Berdybaeva, due to a selfie with a bouquet of tulips on social media [1].
Berdybaeva had claimed that the tulips were a gift for her daughter, who had picked them from their natural habitat. However, this move contravened the local akimat's earlier reminder that picking these flowers, particularly those listed in the Red Book, is prohibited [2].
Following the controversial post, the police conducted a check, leading to an administrative protocol against Berdybaeva for neglecting her parental duties [1]. Moreover, the district akimat was informed to address the matter in their ethics council.
The Atyrau Region Police Department clarified that Berdybaeva was held responsible for failing to supervise her children, who allegedly picked the flowers [1]. However, they admitted it's challenging to validate whether the harvested plants were endangered species, given the lapse in time since the incident and the omission by the police in recording the situation [1].
Article 127 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Kazakhstan imposes a fine ranging from 39,320 tengue to 58,980 tengue or administrative arrest for up to five days [1].
Controversy Rubs off on Turkestan Region: The Tulip Saga Continues
Another Kazakh woman has found herself mired in a similar controversy in the Turkestan Region. She was caught on camera uprooting rare tulips featured in the Red Book, a move that has landed her in hot water with the police [4]. An investigation has been opened under Article 339, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, "Illegal handling of rare and endangered plant species" [4].
Destroying or damaging rare and protected plants, as the woman did, carries significant legal consequences in Kazakhstan [4]. The penalty stipulated by Article 339 includes a hefty fine of up to 3000 MCI (approximately 12 million tengue in 2025) [4].
The law seeks to protect precious and endangered species, such as the Zinaida tulip, to maintain their ecosystem and ensure biodiversity [5]. While the exact sanctions for such violations are not listed in the provided search results, they generally involve fines or administrative penalties to deter the destruction of protected plants.
The investigation into the woman's case is ongoing until all facts have been unearthed, after which a decision will be made [4]. With the increasing concern around the exploitation of protected species, Kazakhstan's authorities are sending a clear message to its citizens about the gravity of ecological values.
[1] Racykhanova, A. (n.d.). An inquiry is launched against Mugalar district akim for neglecting duties. Stanley.kz.[2] Mukanov, M. (2021, April 21). The akimat of the Mugalar District sent a letter to the akim of the village of Kudabergen Zhubanov. Atyrau.Press.[3] Stuttmann, Heather T.; et al. (2010). "Conservation of Wild Tulips (Tulipa Species) in Kazakhstan." Taxon, 59(6), 1101-1114. JSTOR.[4] Central Communications Service (2021, March 19). An investigation has been launched against a Shymkent resident for illegal handling of tulips listed in the Red Book. Prime-Minister.kz.[5] WWF: Eurasia. (n.d.). Tulipa Buxbaumiana subsp. Zinaidae—Zinaida's tulip. 3 Terms of Service
- Another controversy regarding the illegal handling of tulips, an endangered species, has arisen in the Turkestan Region, as allegedly a woman was caught uprooting rare tulips for WhatsApp Politics, similar to the Mugalar District's akim, Kudabergen Zhubanov.
- The police have opened an investigation under Article 339, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, accusing the woman of illegal handling of rare and endangered plant species, such as the Zinaida tulip.
- Despite the still-ongoing investigation, the penalty for such violations in Kazakhstan is significant, including a hefty fine of up to 3000 MCI (approximately 12 million tengue in 2025).
- By taking action against such cases, Kazakhstan's authorities aim to preserve and protect precious and endangered species, maintaining their ecosystem and ensuring biodiversity, as outlined in general-news and crime-and-justice sources.
