News
The Department of Environmental Supervision Identifies 3 Cases of Illegal Sand and Gravel Extraction
Patrolling and urgent resposne staff of the Department of Environmental Supervision of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture have identified cases of illegal sand and gravel extraction in Guria, Imereti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti.
The violations were recorded in the municipalities of Ozurgeti, Khoni, and Mtskheta.
The violators unlawfully extracted a total of up to 60 cubic meters of sand and gravel from the riverbeds of the Supsa, Tskhenistskali, and Mtkvari rivers, using specialized equipment.
Illegal sand and gravel extraction causes significant environmental damage and may result in serious ecological consequences, including riverbed deformation and bank collapse, which may lead to the loss and degradation of agricultural land, erosion, flooding and washout of settlements, a decline in water levels, and the destruction of ecosystems.
The prevention, detection, and suppression of illegal use of natural resources remains a priority for the Environmental Supervision Department. The Department’s patrol units conduct continuous 24-hour monitoring across the country and respond promptly to every report received through the Ministry’s hotline (153). As a result, in January 2026 alone, the Department identified 9 cases of illegal sand and gravel extraction, 3 of which contain indications of criminal offense.
