Malayalam Actress Navya Nair Fined in Australia for Carrying Jasmine Flowers
Sydney, Australia – Malayalam actress Navya Nair was recently fined by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for unknowingly bringing jasmine flowers into the country. The incident occurred as Nair arrived in Australia and highlights the nation’s stringent biosecurity regulations regarding plants and flowers.
Speaking at an Onam event, nair acknowledged the violation, stating, “Ignorance is no excuse,” and confirmed the infraction was unintentional. She was given 28 days to pay the fine,the amount of which was not disclosed.
Australia’s Border Force explicitly prohibits the import of plants, flowers, and seeds without a valid permit. Authorities cite the need to protect Australia’s unique ecosystem from potential diseases and pests carried by these items. According to Manorama News, certain species are considered high-risk, and even seeds must be free of soil, disease, and plant matter to comply with regulations.
Airlines, including vietjet, also issue warnings to passengers about restrictions on bringing herbs, flowers, pollens, and animal products into Australia without proper certification.
This is not an isolated incident. in the past, travelers have faced similar penalties for unintentional breaches of biosecurity laws. Years ago, Indian cricketers Harbhajan singh and Virender Sehwag were fined approximately $100 at auckland Airport in New zealand for having ‘dirty shoes.’ These cases serve as a reminder to all international travelers to thoroughly research and adhere to the import regulations of their destination country.