News
The Department of Environmental Supervision Identified 1,266 Cases of Illegal Timber Use in the First 10 Months of 2026
Employees of the Department of Environmental Supervision of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture identified 1,266 cases of illegal forest use between January 1 and October 31, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal activities in the forestry sector. Of these cases, 154 contained elements of a criminal offense. The relevant materials were forwarded to the appropriate authorities for further action.
Of the violations identified, 880 cases involved the illegal harvesting and transportation of timber, while 386 cases concerned violations of technical regulations by sawmills and instances of illegal operations.
A total of 56 unregistered sawmills were sealed during the first 10 months of 2026.
By region, the highest number of violations was recorded in Adjara, with 303 cases. A total of 225 cases were identified in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, 203 in Kakheti, 177 in Imereti, 101 in Samtskhe-Javakheti, 66 in Guria, 60 in Kvemo Kartli, 51 in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, 38 in Mtskheta-Mtianeti, and 35 in Shida Kartli.
Seven violations were also recorded in the capital. Over a 10-month period, officers of the Department of Environmental Supervision identified three illegal sawmills in Tbilisi, as well as three cases of violations of the technical regulations governing sawmill operations and one case of illegal timber transportation.
The protection of natural resources and the prevention, suppression, and detection of illegal use of forests are a top priority for the Environmental Supervision Department. The Department’s crews conduct continuous 24-hour patrols nationwide, and immediate action is taken in response to every report received through the Ministry’s hotline (153).
