AMID the booming interest in plants, the University of the Philippines- Diliman cautioned the public against poaching plants on campus.

The university warned that penalties await those who would attempt to steal plants inside the 493-hectare campus in Quezon City.

Demand for plants has ballooned in Metro Manila during the lockdown.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources earlier reminded the public that gathering wild plants is a violation of the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

“Cutting, collecting and gathering wild plants in the forest is a violation of Republic Act 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act,” DENR 7 Regional Executive Director Paquito Melicor said.

Almost 45 hectares of UP Diliman’s property are considered parks and open spaces. The campus also has a protected forest area covering 18.25 hectares.