Navya Nair was fined Rs 1.5 lakh at the Melbourne international airport for carrying a 5-centimetre jasmine flower in her luggage. The Australian Department of Agriculture collected 1,980 Australian dollars from the star at Melbourne Airport.

The fine imposed on Navya was a surprise for many. In reality, it is based on a law implemented by the Australian government. The Biosecurity Act, passed by the Australian Parliament in 2015, prohibits the importation of several items into Australia from other countries. The concern is that plants and flowers from foreign countries could pave the way for microorganisms or diseases that could harm the natural habitat.

As per government studies, certain plants from abroad can destroy agriculture and natural forests in Australia. Not just Australia, various other countries are also facing the same threat.

The Australian Government’s Border Watch clearly lists the items that are allowed in the country from abroad. The passenger will also have to explain the reason behind bringing certain items into the country. Failure to do so may result in legal action or a fine.

Most plants grown in other countries are not allowed in Australia. If you want to bring them in, you must first obtain a special permit from the Australian Department of Agriculture. For this, you must specify what type of plant and what species it is. Some plants can only be brought in if they are approved through the Biosecurity Import Conditions System. If the information is found to be incomplete or incorrect, strict measures will be taken.

Not just Australia, even India is bearing the brunt of invasive plants and animals. After the flood season, there was a decline in fish stocks in the rivers of Kerala.

This was largely due to some peculiar hobbies of seasoned marine enthusiasts. There was a trend in Kerala among youngsters of raising large or exotic fish species and turtles from abroad, only to abandon them later in local ponds or rivers. These species ended up eating most of the indigenous plants and fish, resulting in the decimation of the fish stocks in Kerala. There is still no clear solution to this problem.

Invasive plants are becoming a local cause for elephants and other animals leaving the forest to roam in human habitats.