Georgia: The Employees of the Environmental Supervision Department of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture identified 187 facts of illegal forestry in the framework of the fight against illegal forestry from November 01 to November 30, 2024.
Among them, 135 are related to the illegal acquisition-transportation of timber, and 52 are facts of violation of technical regulations by saw mines and illegal saw mines. 13 facts of the offenses contain criminal offenses.
Most of the illegal forest use – 53 facts revealed in Kakheti. 34 violations were recorded in Samtskhe-Javakheti, Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti – 31, Imereti – 24, Adjara – 15, Racha-Lechkhumi-Lower Svaneti-10, Lower Kartli-8, Shida Kartli-5, Guria-4, and Mtskheta-Mtianeti-3.
In total, more than 284 cubic meters of illegally obtained trees were removed. In the same period, throughout the country, 2 units of unregistered saws have been sealed. Materials, for further response, were sent to the relevant authorities.
Fighting against illegal forest use is a priority for the Department of Environmental Supervision. During January-November of this year, department employees have identified 2000 facts of illegal forest use throughout the country. 92 illegal mining saws have been sealed.
Crews from the Department of Environmental Protection are carrying out 24-hour non-stop patrolling across the country to prevent, detect, and detect illegal forestry, poaching, fishing, and other environmental violations in a timely manner. In addition, an immediate response is made to each message received on the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture’s hotline (153).
Environmental Protection Division
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is a governmental organization tasked with safeguarding Georgia’s water, land, and air resources under the auspices of federal and state environmental laws. Air and water quality, solid waste, hazardous waste, water supply, surface mining, underground storage tanks, and other facilities are governed by these rules for both public and private establishments.
