Control over illegal logging has been tightened
“The legislation regulating illegal logging and the transportation of timber has been tightened. In November alone, the National Forestry Agency's employees recorded 70 violations. Among these, four cases involved the illegal appropriation of state forest land in the Guria, Shida Kartli, and Kakheti regions. It is also noteworthy that from January to November 2025, the Agency identified a total of 576 cases of illegal timber logging and transportation across the country. Unregistered sawmills have also been removed from state forest areas in various regions,” said Natia Iordanishvili, Deputy Head of the National Forestry Agency.
She emphasized that the Agency plans forestry activities aimed at sustainable forest management. These include maintenance and sanitary felling, which are intended to improve the condition of the forest.
“The extraction of both industrial and firewood resources is regulated. The rule is that we must not extract more than what would hinder or damage the natural renewal of forest resources. All the Agency’s activities are directed toward this goal,” noted Natia Iordanishvili.
To prevent illegal logging and transportation and strengthen forest monitoring and control, the National Forestry Agency has renewed its machinery, vehicles, and forestry equipment. Twenty-one off-road vehicles were purchased to support regional forestry services, along with 34 units of special equipment for forest road construction, timber harvesting, and transportation. Additionally, 10 drones, 750 photo traps, and surveillance cameras have been acquired to improve forest monitoring and control.
It is worth recalling that, under the previous legislative amendment, the first instance of timber logging or transportation without proper documentation resulted in a 2,000 GEL fine, and a repeated violation resulted in a 5,000 GEL fine. However, under the newly enacted legislation, a repeated offense will now be classified as a criminal act.
She emphasized that the Agency plans forestry activities aimed at sustainable forest management. These include maintenance and sanitary felling, which are intended to improve the condition of the forest.
“The extraction of both industrial and firewood resources is regulated. The rule is that we must not extract more than what would hinder or damage the natural renewal of forest resources. All the Agency’s activities are directed toward this goal,” noted Natia Iordanishvili.
To prevent illegal logging and transportation and strengthen forest monitoring and control, the National Forestry Agency has renewed its machinery, vehicles, and forestry equipment. Twenty-one off-road vehicles were purchased to support regional forestry services, along with 34 units of special equipment for forest road construction, timber harvesting, and transportation. Additionally, 10 drones, 750 photo traps, and surveillance cameras have been acquired to improve forest monitoring and control.
It is worth recalling that, under the previous legislative amendment, the first instance of timber logging or transportation without proper documentation resulted in a 2,000 GEL fine, and a repeated violation resulted in a 5,000 GEL fine. However, under the newly enacted legislation, a repeated offense will now be classified as a criminal act.
