Tbilisi: The Georgian Environmental Supervision Department of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture tightened its control on the illegal acquisition, transportation and realisation of firewood trees in the pre-New Year period in the country.
It is to be specifically mentioned that Employees of the department have revealed the facts of the illegal acquisition and transportation of firewood trees in the Adjara and Shida Kartli region of the Republic of Georgia.
It is worth mentioning that In the village of Erge of Khelvachauri municipality, a citizen illegally obtained Sochi tree branches in the territory of the state forest. At the same time, in Kareli municipality, near Daba Agar, a citizen was illegally transporting 15 units of Christmas tree.
The offender could not even produce relevant documents about the origin of wood and forest.Department’s employees of Adjara and Guria, as well as Shida Kartli regional authorities, closed illegally obtained trees and branches.The department has made Relevant documentation against violators. Materials have been sent to the relevant authorities.
Under these stricter controls, special attention is being paid to regions where there are dense forests. Also preventive measures are being taken at the entrance to the city, in residential areas, and on motorways as well. Places of realisation will be actively checked in the capital – for example, the sports palace, train station, subway stations as per the laws of authorites.
As per the rules and regulations Illegal extraction of firewood as well as violation of transportation and realisation rules are subject to a fine of 500 to 2000 Gel which also adds to the damage caused to the environment.
The Department of Environmental Supervision urges the general public to get firewood trees only within the framework of the law for seedlings, plantations, and cadmium plots or to buy imported Christmas trees.
The department also asked people to help curb the illegal practice and, In case of a violation of the law call the hotline of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture – 153 so that the relevant regional authority of the department can react immediately.
The department official said that any damage to the forest area will not be ignored. Moreover the accused of damage to forest areas will be prosecuted as per strict laws and rules. They advised the citizens to avoid this illegal practice and contribute to the protection of the flora and fauna of the country.
