In 2025, compared to the previous year, the number of illegal forest use cases decreased by approximately 13%. As for the statistics for the last 5 years, compared to 2021, in 2025, the number of illegal forest use cases decreased by 50.47%.
From January 1 to December 31, 2025, out of 1,912 identified illegal forest use cases, 1,430 were related to illegal logging and transportation of timber, and 420 were violations of technical regulations by sawmills. 169 of the violations contained signs of a criminal offense, and the materials were forwarded to the relevant agencies for further action.
Of the detected facts, 1,430 relate to illegal logging and transportation of timber, while 482 are facts of violation of technical regulations by sawmills and illegal sawmills. 169 of the violations contain signs of a criminal offense; the materials have been sent to the relevant agencies for further response.
The protection of natural resources and the prevention, suppression, and detection of illegal forest use are priorities for the department.
The crews of the Environmental Supervision Department patrol throughout the country 24 hours a day; an immediate response is provided to each message received on the Ministry’s hotline (153).
As a result, during the current year, a number of violations have been detected in various regions. The largest number of violations – 527 – was recorded in Kakheti, 327 violations were detected in Adjara, 267 in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, 245 in Imereti, 172 in Samtskhe-Javakheti, 103 in Kvemo Kartli, 95 in Shida Kartli, 73 in Racha-Lechkhumi-Kvemo Svaneti, 51 in Guria, and 49 in Mtskheta-Mtianeti.
The violations were also recorded in the capital. During 2025, the department’s employees identified 3 cases of illegal forest use in Tbilisi. In total, more than 2,534 cubic meters of illegally harvested timber were seized. During the same period, 62 unregistered sawmills were sealed across the country.
In the fight against illegal logging, the Department actively uses modern technologies, and sanctions have been tightened. As a result of all these actions, in recent years, a decrease in the number of illegal logging cases has been recorded. In 2024, 2,200 cases of illegal logging were recorded. Across the country, 93 illegal sawmills have been sealed.
