Environmental body seizes illegally logged spruce in Tbilisi
The Department pointed out it was receiving reports of illegal logging or sale of trees on the Ministry of Environmental Protection hotline through the number 153, and urged the public to only collect spruce trees and plants from designated plantations and homesteads, or buy imported spruce for the holidays. Photo: The Department of Environmental Supervision.
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Up to 80 illegally logged spruce trees were seized in Tbilisi by environmental supervision professionals as they were being sold for the holiday season, the Department of Environmental Supervision said on Friday.
The inspectors sealed the products being sold near the capital’s Sports Palace, and compiled reports over the illegal activity as part of inspections being carried out across the country in the run-up to the New Year’s Eve and Christmas celebrations, the Department added.
It also reminded the public of fines associated with illegal logging, transportation and sale of spruce, with associated penalties ranging between ₾200 and ₾2000 ($73/$739).
The state body said it was ensuring particularly strict inspection for localities with spruce forest cover, with roads across the country and areas in Tbilisi frequently used for sale of trees logged in other regions under monitoring.
The Department pointed out it was receiving reports of illegal logging or sale of trees on the Ministry of Environmental Protection hotline through the number 153, and urged the public to only collect spruce trees and plants from designated plantations and homesteads, or buy imported spruce for the holidays.
We are starting an uncompromising battle against the illegal usage of forests, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said at today’s cabinet meeting. Kvirikashvili said the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture is working on important changes regulating and strengthening laws that concern forests and their utilization as natural resources.
Georgia has launched a new campaign to prevent illegal cutting of trees before New Year. The new initiative encouraged people to choose a fir tree anywhere in Georgia and decorate it, without cutting the tree.
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.
Georgia is a major player in the Christmas tree industry; almost 90 percent of all seeds for Christmas trees in Europe come from Georgia.