Authorities reclaim protected land in La Humeadora National Park from illegal occupation
<p>Santo Domingo.- In a coordinated effort to uphold national and international environmental laws, the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MMARN), the National Environmental Protection Service (SENPA), the Ministry of Defense, and the Army conducted a large-scale...
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Santo Domingo.- In a coordinated effort to uphold national and international environmental laws, the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MMARN), the National Environmental Protection Service (SENPA), the Ministry of Defense, and the Army conducted a large-scale operation to reclaim critical areas of La Humeadora National Park. The intervention, carried out in the La Vigía area of Rancho Arriba, targeted illegal agricultural activity and unauthorized settlements within the park’s core zone. Authorities dismantled 24 unlawful structures and recovered more than 130 acres of protected land. Eight Haitian nationals with irregular immigration status were also detained and turned over to immigration authorities.
The operation followed formal warnings to the occupants and was based on technical reports citing increasing environmental damage due to land encroachment, tree cutting, and the construction of illegal plots. Officials emphasized that the effort adhered to legal procedures under the General Environmental Law and the Law on Protected Areas, with restoration efforts set to continue under constant monitoring by rangers and military environmental patrols.
La Humeadora National Park spans 305 square kilometers across San Cristóbal, Monseñor Nouel, and San José de Ocoa. It plays a vital role in the nation’s water supply, supporting agriculture, hydroelectric power, and communities in Greater Santo Domingo. The park is also a critical biodiversity reserve, hosting endemic flora, fauna, and rare cloud forests.