188 cases of illegal logging recorded in April in Georgia

Georgian authorities identified 188 cases of illegal logging and timber transportation in April of this year across the country, 14 of which contained elements of criminal offences,  the Environmental Supervision Department announced on Friday.

A total of 211 cubic metres of illegally gathered timber were seized by the state agency, with the highest number of cases - 40 - registered in the western Imereti region.

Cases of illegal logging were also identified in: 

• Kakheti - 39 cases
• Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti - 31 cases
• Samtskhe-Javakheti - 24 cases
• Adjara - 17 cases
• Shida Kartli - 13 cases
• Racha-Lechkhumi-Kvemo Svaneti - 10 cases 
• Kvemo Kartli - 8 cases
• Guria - 2 cases
• Mtskheta-Mtianeti - 1 case

In the capital city of Tbilisi, three examples of illegal logging and transportation of timber were revealed.

Additionally, the agency recorded 60 cases of violation of technical regulations at sawmills, seizing 12 unregistered sawmills.