Illegal Logging Detected in Windbreak Zones of Dusheti Municipality
As part of its land use monitoring activities, the National Agency for Sustainable Land Management and Land Use Monitoring identified illegal logging and plant removal within the boundaries of registered windbreak zones.
Illegal cutting of coniferous and deciduous trees and plants was documented at multiple locations within the territories of Aragvispiri and Aranisi villages in Dusheti Municipality. Additionally, a private individual was found to have unlawfully occupied and leveled approximately 374 sq.m. of windbreak land, resulting in land degradation. As part of the same monitoring activity, a legal entity was also found to have constructed a 360 sq.m. concrete pavement within the windbreak area.
The Environmental Supervision Department of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture was informed of the violations. The department issued administrative offense protocols, estimating environmental damage at 1,106.01 GEL in the first case and 2,129.22 GEL in the second case.
Land use monitoring activities will remain ongoing.
It is worth noting that a comprehensive inventory of windbreaks in Dusheti Municipality was conducted in 2023. The total inventoried area covered 155.2 ha, of which 154.48 hectares have been officially registered with the National Agency of Public Registry as state-owned windbreaks.
