The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Indileni Daniel, says there are limited resources to effectively respond to plant poaching incidents in the country.

Daniel was responding to a question by IPC MP Rodrick Likando, who wanted to know what measures the ministry had in place to curb illegal trade of Lithops plants found in coastal areas, considering their high international value.

"I wish to urge all stakeholders to work together in preventing illegal harvesting, because sometimes even we don't want to follow the laws and just apply them as local people. Illegal harvesting and trafficking of this endemic and protected plant species, including lithops, which this question is based on, which the Honourable is also highlighted in this question. Our law enforcement agencies are working hard to protect our plants, and I would like to warn that anyone who will be found harvesting or in possession of protected plants without requisite permits will be harshly dealt with in accordance with the law," stated Daniel.