The authorities from the Ministry of the Environment are not planning on re-seeding the areas affected by the recent forest fires that damaged tens of thousands of tareas of forests. Although reports vary, approximately 150,000 tareas (about 25,000 acres) were destroyed in the fires. However, the affected areas of the J. Armando Bermudez and Jose del Carmen Ramirez National Parks will not be either re-seeded or re-sown. Regional forestry director, Victor Florintino told reporters from the Diario Libre that the damaged areas don’t need to be re-forested, since they will enter a long process of natural re-generation, without human assistance. Nonetheless, Florentino did suggest that some areas, such as that around Manabao, near Jarabacoa, will need re-forestry efforts with both native and endemic species. The watersheds of the Yaque del Norte and the Yaque del Sur, the Bao and the Amina rivers will have to be re-forested to protect the rivers. Environmentalist Domingo Rodriguez called the decision a proper one, and pointed out that the biodiversity that results from natural repopulation of the undergrowth and trees is beneficial. Rodriguez pointed out that the winds and the birds are already disseminating seeds over the area.