President Leonel Fernandez announced the definite suspension of the extraction of sand, gravel and construction materials from the Haina, Yubaso, Nizao and Nigua rivers. Government contractors have been accused of killing the rivers of this southern province. President Fernández, speaking in San Cristóbal, said that the problem dates back to the 70s and 80s when major construction works were started. Last week, San Cristobal province inhabitants halted for 24 hours to protest the deteriorating condition of their rivers. Ecologists say that 120 of the rivers and streams have disappeared taking 30% of the country’s vegetation cover with them.
