The Unofficial English Translation of the Press Release
PRESS DECLARATION OF THE COALITION FOR THE DEFENSE OF PROTECTED AREAS
Background
President Leonel Fernandez, on 30 December 2005, signed Presidential Decree 686-05.
The decree establishes that "The Sectoral Law on Protected Areas No. 202/04, of 30 July 2004, left outside the restrictions on tourism development imposed by the category of National Park a strip of land located in the National Park of the East in Bayahibe, and another in the Jaragua National Park in Pedernales, establishing new categories of conservation, surfaces, locations and limits.
"A Commission is created for the tourism development of the strips liberated by the Sectoral Law on Protected Areas in the Zones of Pedernales and Bayahibe, which will be presided over by the Ministry of Tourism and additionally composed of the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Public Works, the Director of the National Sewage Institute and Mr. Marino Ginebra."
THE COALITION FOR THE DEFENSE OF PROTECTED AREAS DENOUNCES THE FOLLOWING IRREGULARITIES IN THE DRAFTING OF THE DECREE:
1. It is false that the Sectoral Law on Protected Areas 202-04 left outside the restrictions on touristic use of the protected areas Guaraguao-Punta Catuano and Bah?a de las Aguilas. It is limited to changing its management category, which currently is Category VI: Protected Landscape.
2. The Sectoral Law on Protected Areas 202-04 contains not one article or point in which it speaks of "liberating" some area. As has been explained, it is limited to realizing a change of management category for two zones in the del Este and Jaragua national parks.
3. To subordinate the Ministry for the Environment to the Ministry for Tourism, is a violation of Law 64-00, which establishes that it is the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources to whom corresponds the governance of the National System of Protected Areas, as well as the zoning of its territories jointly with the Technical Secretary of the Presidency, according to Article 30 of Law 64-00.
THE COALITION FOR THE DEFENSE OF PROTECTED AREAS CONSIDERS THAT:
* Decree 686-05 violates the General Law on the Environment and Natural Resources (64-00) and the Sectoral Law on Protected Areas and Biodiversity (202-04).
* During the Sixteenth Conference of UNCTAD celebrated in Brazil current President Fernandez said: "There exists a current in the country that considers that the approval of a law that excludes protected areas in specific zones of the national territory contributes to development. Another current, to which I belong, considers that the indiscriminate exploitation of the country's resources without taking into consideration the environmental dimension does not contribute to development."
* Decree 686-05 contradicts the position of Dr. Leonel Fernandez Reyna, President of the Republic, who during the campaign in 2004 manifested on numerous occasions his adhesion to the current that considers the protected areas indispensable to sustainable development.
* The National Park of the East is visited annually by around half a million tourists, which has generated riches for the surrounding communities, who see themselves as threatened by the privatization of this National Patrimony.
* By destroying the protected area of the National Park of the East, the existing tourist zones will view as privatized their principal destination spots for excursions, which supposes a death blow to a good part of the Dominican hotel sector.
* The Coalition for the Defense of Protected Areas considers as extremely irregular the systematic maneuvers that have been undertaken, in the prior and present government, to offer for sale and undertake meddling in the management of different protected areas owned by the Dominican State, giving away in an illicit manner National Patrimony. Due to this situation, we will ask the Commission for Transparency and Ethics presided by Dr. Jose Joaquin Bid? Medina to initiate an investigation of all public officials connected to real estate and tourism businesses, whether directly or through other officials or family members. Likewise we ask that it investigate deeply the possible existing interests held by physical persons included on the Commission.
THE COALITION FOR THE DEFENSE OF PROTECTED AREAS WILL UNDERTAKE THE FOLLOWING REQUESTS:
* The Coalition for the Defense of Protected Areas asks President Leonel Fernandez Reyna to derogate Decree 686-05, and that he honor his commitment regarding the National System of Protected Areas that he assumed before becoming President of the Republic.
* As well at the Coalition for the Defense of Protected Areas we urge President Leonel Fernandez Reyna that he direct existing tourism investment and new investments that could be developed in the country, toward the extensive terrains with touristic calling available outside the Jaragua National Park, part of the Biosphere Reserve declared by UNESCO and the National Park of the East, under consideration to be declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
* The Coalition for the Defense of Protected Areas asks competent State bodies to submit Manuel P?rez G?mez, Secretary of State for Public Works, for violating the law when breaking into the National Park of the East, destroying important forest zones.
We call on Dominican civil society, civic organizations, environmentalists, the national tourism sector and international cooperation organs, to urgently commit themselves to defending the National System of Protected Areas of the Dominican Republic.
The Coalition for the Defense of Protected Areas is already undertaking an information campaign reaching out to international entities regarding the impact of Presidential Decree 686-05 and publicly ask for the help of all international organizations, in order to fight against the destructive maneuvers that corrupt politicians and real estate speculators are carrying out for the fraudulent takeover of some protected areas in the Dominican Republic.
