Tourism Minister Ramon Alfredo Bordas announced that within the next 60 days construction will start on the construction of infrastructure in the Jaragua National Park, between Oviedo and the Pedernales beaches. Listin Diario reports that the Ministry is only awaiting the completion of the territorial plan and tourism development studies that it is carrying out jointly with the Environment Ministry. The Jaragua National Park land was declared appropriate for tourism development in a decree issued by President Hipolito Mejia. The decree met with vast opposition from environmentalists who fear tourism development of the ecologically fragile area would be harmful to the ecology. Minister Bordas, however, said his department is working closely with the Environment Ministry to avoid damage to the flora, fauna and ecosystems in the area. He spoke during a meeting in Pedernales attended by Major General Antonio Imbert Barreras, who presides over the Tourism Development Commission of Pedernales. The Environment Minister Frank Moya Pons, the Governor of Pedernales Juana del Socorro Perez, and Senator Angel Dinocrates Perez were also present. (9 May 2001)
