News
The Department of Environmental Supervision Identified Cases of Illegal Extraction of Large Quantities of Sand and Gravel in Mtskheta-Mtianeti
Employees of the Mtskheta-Mtianeti Regional Division of the Department of Environmental Supervision, under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, identified three cases of illegal extraction of mineral resources in the municipalities of Mtskheta, Dusheti, and Tianeti.
The violations were recorded in the vicinity of the villages of Tsiprani, Galavani, and Tetrakheva.
Using specialized machinery, the offenders illegally extracted a total of approximately 130 cubic metres of sand and gravel from the riverbeds of the Aragvi, Tezami, and Kusno rivers.
The case identified in Tianeti Municipality contains indications of a criminal offence. the case materials were forwarded to the relevant authorities for further action.
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).
