News
The Department of Environmental Supervision identified 25 cases of illegal sand and gravel extraction during the first three months of 2026
Employees of the Department of Environmental Supervision of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture identified 25 cases of illegal sand and gravel extraction between January 1 and March 31, 2026. Of these, 6 cases contain signs of criminal offenses. The environmental damage caused by these violations amounts to approximately GEL 246,000.
the case materials have been forwarded to the relevant authorities for further action.
Employees of the Department of Environmental Supervision seized 13 units of specialized equipment from the offenders.
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).
