News
The Department of Environmental Supervision Identified 90 Cases of Illegal Sand and Gravel Extraction in the First Nine Months of 2026
Employees of the Department of Environmental Supervision of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture identified 90 cases of illegal sand and gravel extraction between January 1 and September 30, 2026. Of these, 26 cases contained indications of a criminal offense.
The environmental damage caused by these violations is estimated at approximately GEL 2,015,753.
The case materials were forwarded to the relevant authorities for further action.
The highest number of violations, 16, was recorded in Imereti. A further 15 cases were identified in Guria, 13 in Kakheti, 12 in Mtskheta-Mtianeti, 10 in Kvemo Kartli, 8 in Adjara, 7 in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, 6 in Shida Kartli, 2 in Samtskhe-Javakheti, and 1 in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti.
A total of 51 pieces of specialized equipment were seized from offenders by the Department of Environmental Supervision.
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).
