The Ministry of Environment has just 10 forest rangers in charge of 3,000 square kilometers in the southwestern border provinces of Bahoruco and Independencia. Five of these rangers are based in Duverge, another two are in La Descubierta, and another three are in Bahoruco. They make RD$5,000 a month, while rangers who were appointed more recently make RD$8,000.
Provincial environment director Julio Roman says that he has reports that thousands of bags of charcoal are exported to Haiti. He said that Haitian immigrants in the communities are deforesting in complicity with “bad Dominicans.” The most affected communities are reported to be Boca de Chachon, Las Lajas, Tierra Nueva, Puerto Escondido and others in Bahoruco.
Former forestry resources official Delfin Trinidad Herasme told El Caribe that during the previous Ministry of Environment term under Jaime David Fernandez there were 40 park rangers and it was more difficult for the charcoal producers to go about their work. He said the work of the forest rangers is also affected by the lack of diesel supplies for driving around.
He said many media outlets denounce the problem but the Ministry of Environment is unable to tackle it due to lack of resources. He also acknowledged that there is complicity between military personnel and charcoal dealers in the area. He said that there are even allegations of park rangers being involved.
El Caribe reports that the charcoal arrives in the province of Independencia prior to being smuggled to Haiti.
In 2013, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) estimated that an investment of US$136 million over a five-year period would be needed in order to reverse the damage on the border.
Solo 10 guardas forestales vigilan más de 3 mil kilómetros cuadrados en el Sur