News
The Department of Environmental Supervision Identified 946 Cases of Illegal Forest Use in the First Six Months of the Year
Employees of the Department of Environmental Supervision of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture identified 946 cases of illegal forest use between January 1 and June 30, 2026, as part of efforts to combat illegal forest use. Of these, 110 cases contained indications of criminal offenses, and the relevant case materials were forwarded to the appropriate authorities for further action.
Of the identified violations, 711 cases involved the illegal harvesting and transportation of timber, while 235 cases were related to violations of the technical regulations governing sawmills and other instances of illegal operations. A total of 110 cases contained indications of criminal offenses, and the case materials have been forwarded to the appropriate authorities for further action.
Of the identified violations, 711 cases involved the illegal harvesting and transportation of timber, while 235 cases were related to violations of the technical regulations governing sawmills and other instances of illegal activity. A total of 110 cases contained indications of criminal offenses, and the relevant case materials were forwarded to the appropriate authorities for further action.
During the first six months of 2026, 36 unregistered sawmills were sealed.
By region, the highest number of violations-222 cases-was recorded in Adjara, followed by Samegrelo–Zemo Svaneti with 174 cases, Kakheti with 172, Imereti with 124, Samtskhe–Javakheti with 66, Kvemo Kartli with 48, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti with 39, Guria with 39, Shida Kartli with 32, and Mtskheta-Mtianeti with 25.
Five violations were also recorded in the capital. In Tbilisi, Environmental Supervision and Rapid Response officers identified two illegal sawmills over a six-month period, as well as one case of illegal timber transportation and two cases of violations of technical regulations at sawmills.
The protection of natural resources and the prevention, suppression, and detection of illegal use of forests are a top priority for the Environmental Supervision Department. The Department’s crews conduct continuous 24-hour patrols nationwide, and immediate action is taken in response to every report received through the Ministry’s hotline (153).
