Do not illegally cut a fir tree this Christmas, warns Gov’t

The fir tree is a traditional symbol of Christmas and New Year and can be seen in almost all households across the world this festive season but the global celebration and mass cutting of the evergreen trees could threaten the future of the Georgia’s beloved fir trees.

Today Georgia’s Minister of Environment Protection Gigla Agulashvili revealed the country’s laws had been strengthened and anyone who felled a fir tree illegally would face tough disciplinary action.

He noted individuals caught cutting a fir tree would be fined and potentially sent to prison for their unlawful act.

If a fir tree on state territory was felled illegally, an individual could be fined 200-400 GEL. If the action was committed on a Protected Area, the fine increased to 400-500 GEL, and if a rare species of tree was cut down, a person could be fined 500-600 GEL. 

Furthermore, if the environmental damage caused by the cutting exceeded 1,000 GEL, the penalties would be raised and the person responsible would face larger fines or a prison sentence.

In Georgia there were special circumstances where fir trees can be lawfully sold, however this was only permitted from special plantations, nursery gardens or from privately owned land.

In cases of private ownership, the landowner must present special documentation issued by the local municipality that allowed them to sell their fir trees, said Agulashvili. 

The Minister said special departments of the Ministry of Environment Protection were alert and constantly monitoring the coniferous area, particularly in the lead up to Christmas and New Year to prevent illegal felling of fir trees.