DUSHANBE, October 16, 2009, Asia-Plus — Inspections conducted by specialists from the Committee for Environmental Protection over the first nine months of this year, have recorded three instances of violation president’s decree banning collection and export of ferula on the territory of Tajikistan, the Committee head Khursnd Zikirov told reporters in Dushanbe on October 16.
According to him, such cases have been reported in the Panj, Roudaki and Sarband districts. “In the Roudaki district, eight Afghan nationals have been detained for illegal collection of ferula,” said Zikirov, “Afghan nationals have also been involved in collection of ferula in the Sarband district; they have been handed over to Tajik law enforcement authorities.”
He noted that in Tajikistan, ferula is cultivated in 13 districts across the country. “This year, farmers have planted ferula on 1,564 hectares,” Zikirov said.
We will recall that on September 20, 2008, President Emomali Rahmon signed a decree banning collection and export of ferula (asafoetida) on the territory of Tajikistan, according to presidential press service. Under the decree the government was charged to take necessary measures for processing ferula that had been collected in the country by that date and exporting it in a form of finished product as well as consider the issue of purchase of the necessary equipment and technologies for establishment of production of the ferula-based medicines as well as expansion of areas under ferula in the appropriate regions.
Ferula is a genus of about 170 species of flowering plants in the family Apiacease, mostly growing in arid climates. Several species of ferula grow in Tajikistan. One of species of ferula native to Iran and Central Asia is Asafoetida (Ferula assafoetida). It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 2 m tall, with stout, hollow, somewhat succulent stems 5-8 cm diameter at the base of the plant. Asafoetida has certain medicinal uses and most commonly is used as a digestive aid. It is reputed to lessen flatulence and is often added to lentil or eggplant dishes in small quantities. It is also said to be helpful in cases of asthma and bronchitis.
According to some source, one kilogram of ferula gum costs up to 50.00 U.S. dollars in Afghanistan.
