This article, already referenced above calls this "the start" of clearing the area. Perhaps many more houses will be destroyed in the near future?
And it describes exactly what I mentioned on how the wetlands were unscrupulously filled in for year and "title" sold. This does not seem to be just about the 200 houses removed yesterday, but time will tell on that. Most of those shacks that house thousands of people are actually part of that public park and protected wetlands of Parque Nacional El Choco:
En el operativo realizado por el SENPA se busca retirar más de 200 casas construidas ilegalmente en esa zona
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Environment begins to vacate the protected area Lagunas Cabarete and Goleta in Puerto Plata In the operation carried out by SENPA seeks to remove more than 200 houses built illegally in that area Marvin del Cid - CABARETE 02/18/2021, 04:13 PM star Save Comment
Share The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources reported in a press release that it began the vacating of the Laguna Cabarete y Goleta Natural Monument (Choco) with the removal of more than 200 homes that have been illegally erected on this protected area of vital water importance And for the biodiversity of this province. The operation is being carried out by members of the National Environmental Protection Service (SENPA) after several months of coordination that included intelligence work and support from more than 10 state institutions following orders from the minister, Orlando Jorge Mera. The intervention was carried out after showing that for several unscrupulous years they have been given the task of burning and filling the aforementioned wetlands with various materials to later sell these lots on which homes are built.
This occupation and attack against natural resources constitutes a violation of Law 64-00 on the Environment and Sector Law 202-04 on Protected Areas. “The Lagunas Cabarete y Goleta Natural Monument is not a private area. These are assets of the entire Dominican people, whose integrity must be preserved by mandate of the Law to the Ministry of the Environment and that is precisely what we are doing, taking care of everyone's resources, ”explained Minister Orlando Jorge Mera. The areas intervened during the operation are located in the vicinity of the La Ciénaga, Coconopán and La Cueva de Cabarete sectors. The operation is carried out as part of the 'Phase I Environmental Rescue' Plan, which seeks to vacate the protected areas that have been violated. To respect the human dignity of the occupants and the success of the operation, it is carried out together with personnel from the Ministry of Defense, the National Police; Ministry of Public Health; Air Force; Dominican Navy; National Council for Children and Adolescents (CONANI); Specialized Attorney for the Defense of the Environment; Prosecutor's Office for Children and Adolescents; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC); General Directorate of Migration (DGM); National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INDHRI) and Mayors of Puerto Plata and Cabarete. Civil Defense personnel also participate. 'A very important part in the operations arranged by the Environment is to preserve the integrity and dignity of people and act under due legal procedure, that is why we are accompanied by various institutions that ensure respect for Human rights ”, highlighted the minister. The Laguna Cabarete y Goleta Natural Monument (Choco), consists of approximately 77.5 km2 and is part of those places that have been declared highly threatened worldwide and worthy of special protection, as it is home to great varieties of species and biodiversity. The place serves as a habitat for endemic and migratory birds, as well as various trees.