The National Forestry Agency detected 72 forestry-related violations across Georgia in June, including 57 cases of illegal logging and timber transportation.
The agency reported that up to 39 cubic meters of illegally obtained firewood and timber of various species were seized and transferred to Forestry Agency timber yards.
The largest number of illegal logging cases were recorded in Samtskhe-Javakheti with 15 violations, followed by Mtskheta-Mtianeti with 12 and Kvemo Kartli with 10. Imereti, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, and Kakheti each recorded eight cases, while Guria had five violations. Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti and Shida Kartli each recorded three cases.
The agency says five of the violations showed signs of criminal offenses, and the materials have been forwarded to the relevant investigative authorities.
The agency also reported 14 cases of unauthorized occupation of state forest land in Imereti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Kakheti, and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. One unregistered sawmill was also uncovered in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region.
During the first six months of the year, the National Forestry Agency detected 391 cases of illegal logging nationwide.
