News
The Department of Environmental Supervision Identified 81 Cases of Illegal Sand and Gravel Extraction in the First Eight Months of 2026
Employees of the Department of Environmental Supervision of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture identified 81 cases of illegal sand and gravel extraction between January 1 and August 31, 2026. Of these, Of these, 20 cases contained signs of a criminal offense.
The amount of environmental damage caused by these violations is approximately GEL 1,360,000.
The case materials were forwarded to the relevant authorities for further action.
The highest number of violations - 18 - was recorded in Imereti. A total of 13 cases were identified in Guria, 11 in Kvemo Kartli, 8 in Adjara and 8 in Mtskheta-Mtianeti. 7 cases each were recorded in Shida Kartli and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, 5 in Kakheti, 3 in Samtskhe-Javakheti, and 1 in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti.
Employees of the Department of Environmental Supervision seized 40 pieces of specialized equipment from the offenders.
Illegal extraction of mineral resources can cause significant environmental damage. For example, illegal sand and gravel extraction can result in the deformation of riverbeds, bank erosion and collapse, soil erosion, as well as flooding and erosion of populated areas, a decline in water levels, and the destruction of ecosystems.
The timely Prevention, detection, and suppression of illegal use of natural resources is a top priority for the Department of Environmental Supervision. The patrol crews of the Department of Environmental Supervision conduct continuous 24-hour monitoring. Immediate action is taken in response to every report received through the Ministry’s hotline (153).
