Minister of Environment Bautista Rojas Gomez has confirmed that the country has the government’s firm assurance that protected areas are non-negotiable.
Speaking at the 21st International Climate Conference (COP21) in Paris yesterday, Monday 30 November 2015, he said that the protected areas, which account for 25% of the Dominican territory, have made a significant contribution to conserve the country’s culture and national heritage, helping reduce environmental pressure caused by some human activities.
He said that the Dominican government’s message was clear and this was why they had not approved an application from Cementos Santo Domingo, which is owned by PRM presidential candidate Luis Abinader’s family, to allow the company to mine limestone deposits in a National Park in the southwestern province of Azua.
Ministro Medio Ambiente advierte áreas protegidas son innegociables