News
The Department of Environmental Supervision identified 39 Cases of Illegal Sand and Gravel Extraction During the First Five Months of 2026
Employees of the Environmental Supervision Department of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture identified 39 cases of illegal sand and gravel extraction between January 1 and May 31, 2026. Of these, 9 cases contain indications of criminal offenses. The environmental damage caused as a result of the violations is estimated at approximately GEL 257,000.
The case materials have been forwarded to the relevant authorities for further action.
The Environmental Supervision Department's inspectors seized 24 units of specialized equipment from the offenders.
Illegal extraction of mineral resources causes significant environmental damage. The consequences of illegal sand and gravel extraction may include riverbed deformation, riverbank collapse, soil erosion, flooding of populated areas, declining 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.
