Fines for damaging, illegally removing plants in Tbilisi to increase 10-fold
Kaladze said the proposal of the bill by the Municipal Environmental Protection Service stemmed from increased cases of “purposeful” damage of green plants and illegal logging, noting relevant regulations would be tightened. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Tweet 
Share
The fine for damaging green plants in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi will be increased from ₾500 ($170/€162) to ₾5,000 ($1,706/€1,622) in a bill being prepared by city authorities, Mayor Kakha Kaladze announced on Wednesday.
The 10-fold increase in the fine also comes with a higher penalty in case of recurrence, in which case offenders will be fined ₾10,000 ($3,412 /€3,245) instead of the current ₾1,000 ($341 /€324).
Kaladze said the proposal of the bill by the Municipal Environmental Protection Service stemmed from increased cases of “purposeful” damage of green plants and illegal logging, noting relevant regulations would be tightened.
Additionally, the rules for calculating the amount of damage to the environment will also change, with a prohibition on constructions in spots where green plants are illegally removed.
The official also elaborated on the “grave situation” in Tbilisi regarding expert conclusions commissioned by construction companies for gaining permits for removal of plants, noting experts would be fined in case of submitting false conclusions. A repeat false conclusion will lead to suspension of the right to work.
The legislative package prepared by the Municipality will be submitted to the City Council and the Parliament.
A total of 13 unregistered sawmills were identified across Georgia in April in cases identified as criminal offences, the Environmental Supervision Department announced on Wednesday.
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.
Tbilisi City Hall’s new plan to green the city includes the creation of new parks, new forests, greening more districts, reducing air pollution and introducing a new waste collection system, said Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze earlier today when presenting the new environmental policy of the city.
Yet another green area has been added to the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi, which unites the renovated Dedaena Park, 9 March Park, Dry Bridge and Saarbruecken Bridge in the center of the city. Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze and Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili opened the new green area yesterday.
Damaging public property, including public spaces and municipal transport, will result in a fine of ₾300 ($112), while repeated action will be punishable by ₾500 ($187) or administrative detention, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze announced on Wednesday.
Tbilisi City Hall is working to launch an application enabling residents to post information about issues of infrastructure throughout the capital and receive updates on works for solving them.