Control over the illegal harvesting of coniferous trees is being tightened
As the New Year holiday season approaches, the relevant services of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture are tightening control over the harvesting and transportation of coniferous plants. The National Forestry Agency once again calls on the public not to destroy natural resources and to use artificial Christmas trees.
“For the illegal harvesting of coniferous plants, as well as violations of transportation and sales regulations, the fine for a first offense is set at 2,000 GEL, while repeated offenses result in criminal liability. At the same time, the damage caused to the environment will be assessed. If the amount of damage exceeds 1,000 GEL, a criminal case will be initiated against the person - a fine and/or imprisonment from 1 to 3 years. In cases of large-scale illegal harvesting of coniferous plants, if the environmental damage exceeds 3,000 GEL, the penalty provides for imprisonment from 5 to 7 years. For each identified violation, the sanctions prescribed by law will be enforced,” said the Head of the National Forestry Agency, Kakha Tsertsvadze.
The legal harvesting of coniferous trees and plants is possible in nurseries, plantations, household plots, as well as through importation. When selling legally obtained trees and plants, the seller must present appropriate documentation confirming lawful ownership. If a coniferous plant is harvested on privately owned land or in an artificially established nursery, a certificate of origin is mandatory for transportation of the plants, which is issued by the local municipal mayor’s office.
