Georgia: The dedicated employees of the Environmental Supervision Department of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture have identified a significant number of cases in the fight against illegal forest use, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to this crucial cause.
From July 1 to July 31, 2024, 178 instances of illegal forest use were uncovered. These include 124 unlawful timber acquisition and transportation cases, 54 violations of technical regulations by mines, and nine instances of criminal offenses.
Illegal forest use is not confined to a single region. The majority of the 178 cases were found in Kakheti (51), with significant numbers also recorded in Adjara (30), Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti (27), Samtskhe-Javakheti (18), Imereti (15), Racha-Lechkhumi-Lower Svaneti (13), Lower Kartli (13), Shida Kartli (9), and Guria (1).
One fact about the capital’s illegal transport of wood and forest is that more than 221 cubic meters of illegally obtained trees were removed.
In the same period, four units of unregistered saws have been sealed throughout the country.
Materials prepared for the purpose of further response were sent to the relevant authorities, ensuring a comprehensive approach to tackling illegal forest use.
Fighting against illegal forest use is not just a task but a priority for the Department of Environmental Supervision. From January 1 to July 31 of this year, department employees across the country detected 1493 facts of illegal forest use, underscoring the importance and the urgent need to address this issue.
The Environmental Oversight Department crews carry out 24-hour nonstop patrolling throughout the country to prevent, detect, and detect illegal forestry, poaching, fishing, and other environmental violations in a timely manner. In addition, we ensure an immediate response to each message received on the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture’s hotline (153), providing a sense of security that reported violations are promptly addressed.
