A total of 56 violations were identified across Georgia in October, including 53 cases of illegal logging and timber transportation, according to the National Forestry Agency.
Nearly 53 cubic meters of firewood and construction timber of various species were seized nationwide and transported to the agency’s designated timber yards. The highest number of violations was recorded in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti (19), followed by Kvemo Kartli (9), Samtskhe-Javakheti (8), Guria (6), Imereti (5), Shida Kartli (3), Mtskheta-Mtianeti (2), and Kakheti (1).
Additionally, three cases of unauthorized occupation of state forest land were identified in Shida Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti, and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti.
The agency's Deputy Head, Irakli Benashvili, said that 561 cases of illegal logging and timber transportation have been detected nationwide since January 1. He noted that modern monitoring technologies play a key role in identifying violations and that the agency will continue its efforts to combat illegal forest use.
