Sunflowers bloom in a field vicinity Mogilev, captured in photographs
In the picturesque town of Mogilev, a sunflower field owned by the "Ramanovichy" poultry farm has become a popular spot among Instagram users. However, this sudden popularity has come at a cost, as the field shows signs of severe damage.
Many plants have had their heads torn off, and their stems lie on the ground, a stark contrast to the once vibrant and towering sunflowers. Journalists from "Mogilev.Online" observed several couples and groups of women on the field, causing damage to the crops.
The police have emphasised that while taking a photo itself cannot lead to punishment, charges of damaging company property would result in responsibility being incurred. In Belarus, damaging agricultural land is typically subject to administrative or criminal penalties under Belarusian environmental and land use laws. The fine for intentionally destroying someone else's property can be up to Br1260.
The damage to the sunflower field represents lost seeds that will not ripen, posing a threat to the harvest. Moreover, the field's proximity to a forest increases the risk of encounters with dangerous animals like adders or wild boars. There's also a risk of bee stings, especially during the sunflower blooming season.
To combat this issue, the "Ramanovichy" poultry farm has tightened control over the field, with patrols, photo and video surveillance introduced. The employees are struggling to save their lands from the sudden popularity among Instagram users.
It's essential to remember that damaging agricultural lands not only leads to legal penalties but also indirect health risks. Soil degradation can reduce food quality and yields, potentially affecting nutrition. If damage involves destruction of vegetation or introduction of pollutants, it may disrupt ecosystems affecting water quality used for drinking or irrigation. Repeated disturbance of soils can increase dust and airborne particles, potentially causing respiratory issues for nearby residents.
As no exact details or Belarus-specific cases about Instagrammers damaging agriculture were found, for precise penalties or health advice, it would be necessary to consult Belarusian legal texts or authorities such as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection or Ministry of Agriculture.
In summary, the sunflower field near Mogilev has become a popular spot among Instagram users, but this popularity poses a threat to the harvest and the health of the ecosystem. Users are advised to respect private property and refrain from causing damage to agricultural lands.
- The damage to the sunflower field, a popular Instagram spot in Mogilev, disrupts not only the natural beauty of the fashion-and-beauty scene but also the home-and-garden lifestyle of the Ramanovichy poultry farm.
- The police and environmental authorities in Belarus stress that while taking photographs is not punishable, damage to company property, as seen in the sunflower field incident, can lead to charges and fines under Belarusian environmental and land use laws.
- In light of this sunflower field incident, general-news outlets caution Instagram users to respect private property and agricultural lands, emphasizing potential legal penalties as well as the impact on food quality, ecosystems, and public health.
