In 2023, the National Forestry Agency of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture detected 1,105 illegal logging and timber transportation cases across the country.

There was seized up to 1,500 cubic meters of illegally harvested wood, including unregistered sawmills. Cases with signs of criminal activity were referred to relevant agencies.

“The Ministry’s main priorities include implementing effective state control in the field of natural resource usage and preventing, detecting, and stopping illegal use. The Ministry and relevant agencies are actively working in this direction”, - noted the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Kakha Kakabadze.

Illegally harvested timber is transported to “business yards” for sale.