David Songulashvili: “Strengthening the Environmental Supervision Department is a Key Component in Enforcing Environmental Policy”

Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. David Songulashvili, visited the Samtskhe-Javakheti Regional Division of the Environmental Supervision Department, where he met with staff and inspected ongoing renovation works at the office.

Currently, renovation of the regional division’s office is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

In Samtskhe-Javakheti, the main environmental challenges include illegal logging, poaching, and unauthorized extraction of natural resources. The regional division is actively engaged in preventing, detecting, and suppressing such violations.

“Institutional strengthening of the Environmental Supervision Department—through improved infrastructure, adequate equipment, and skilled personnel—is essential for fulfilling the department’s broad mandate. These efforts are directly tied to minimizing environmental damage and ensuring the effective implementation of environmental policy,” stated Minister Songulashvili.

The Deputy Minister, Mr. Kakha Kakabadze, State Representative in Samtskhe-Javakheti region, Mr. Zaal Gelashvili, Chairman of the Akhaltsikhe Municipal City Council, Mr. David Lomidze, and Head of the Environmental Supervision Department, Mr. Levan Jgharkava, accompanied the Minister.