In recent days, a person was stopped by the park rangers of the Monviso Protected Areas Management Authority in the Po Valley area, within the Natural Park, with over 600 freshly cut gentian flowers of the acaulis variety. The episode led to an administrative fine of more than 600 euros and the seizure of the entire collection.
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The Monviso Park released the news on its official website on 7 May 2026, defining the circumstance as “deplorable” and taking the opportunity to recall that the collection of flora in protected areas is expressly prohibited by regional legislation.
The law and sanctions
The regulatory framework is precise and responds to Regional Law 19/2009 “Consolidated law on the protection of natural areas and biodiversity”, which absolutely prohibits, in article 8 paragraph 3 letter j, any collection of flora in parks and nature reserves. The expected fine is 35 euros as a base, increased by 3 euros for each specimen collected: in the case in question, with over 600 flowers, the figure easily exceeds 600 euros. Anyone who pays within 60 days benefits from a reduction of one third of the total, as provided for all administrative sanctions.
The ban is not limited to the perimeter of the Park. Even outside protected areas, Regional Law 32 of 1982, in force for 44 years, allows the collection of only 5 specimens per person per day, without eradicating the underground organs. Some species, including wild orchids, some lilies and various varieties of gentian, enjoy absolute protection throughout the regional territory and cannot be collected under any circumstances.
Why collect 600 gentians
The protagonist species of the episode is the Gentiana acaulisthe so-called gentian or blue gentian, not to be confused with the greater gentian with yellow flowers, whose root is the basis of the traditional liqueur. Blue flowers are instead used in some popular Piedmontese and Aosta Valley recipes to flavor grappa or prepare infusions. The problem is that the aromatic yield of these flowers is very low and hundreds of specimens are needed to produce even just one bottle of distillate. The seized loot, the Park calculates, would have been enough for a few liters of liquor, compared to environmental damage that is difficult to quantify.
Even an apparently modest harvest, park rangers explain, can compromise the annual reproduction of plants and reduce the distribution of species in Alpine territories over time. Leaving the flowers in their place is also a matter of respect for other hikers, who can thus continue to enjoy the spring blooms.
Intensified checks
The Management Body has announced that in this period, in view of the increase in presences on the paths in the summer season, park rangers are carrying out systematic checks in the field to verify compliance with laws and regulations. The rules of conduct in the Park can be consulted in the “Instructions for use” section of the official website.
