Tbilisi: The Georgian Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture Otar Shamugia held a working meeting with heads of regional services of the Department of Environmental supervision and National Forest Agency. During the meeting the competence of these agencies and the existing challenges needs and plans in the regions were discussed by both sides as well.
At the time of the meeting Otar Shamugia stated “It is important to hear from regional service representatives about the current situation and working of the ministry its ongoing activities and challenges on the ground to respond in a timely and effective manner”. Despite all the changes and progress made we have a lot of work to do”.
It was also noted at the meeting that in the wake of strengthening capabilities and functions of modern control mechanisms the activities of the Department of Environmental Supervision and the National Forestry Agency have become even more effective.
Moreover in the year 2023 the employees of the Department of Environment Supervision reported more than 12,700 facts of environmental legislation violation and the services of the National Forest Agency across the country have reported the 1000 cases of illegal acquisition and transportation.
According to Kakha Tsertsvadze the head of the National Forest Agency the prevention, exposure, and detection of the facts of illegal use of natural resources is one of the main priorities of the agency in 2024 as well.
Similarly Levan Jgharkava the head of the Department of Environmental Supervision underlined that to promote the fulfillment of environmental demands and increase the effectiveness of state control important measures are planned in the department this year as well. Some of these measures are imposing sanctions against violations based on planned legislative changes.
The meeting held at the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture was attended by Deputy Minister Kakha Kakabadze and representatives of the relevant services of the agency as well.
Minister of Environment and Agriculture Otar Shamugia will hold a step-by-step meeting with heads of all regional services in the office in the coming months also.
