5 tonnes of endica destroyed in Bishkek — on the black market, a kilogram costs up to 1,500 KGS

Five tonnes of illegally harvested endica roots have been destroyed in Bishkek. The plant had previously been seized in the village of Prigorod, where it was being prepared for sale and export outside Kyrgyzstan.

The destruction was carried out in accordance with a court order and the findings of an environmental assessment at the waste processing plant of the Bishkek sanitary landfill. The entire seized quantity was incinerated.

Endik is considered a rare and valuable plant, and there is a moratorium in place in Kyrgyzstan on its collection and harvesting. Consequently, there is no legal trade in endik roots in Bishkek, and their illegal collection, purchase and sale are punishable offences.

On the black market, however, 1 kg of endik roots is valued at between 300 and 1,500 KGS. Thus, the value of the 5 tonnes destroyed