Minister of the Presidency Gustavo Montalvo celebrated the decision of the Supreme Court of Justice that returns to the government lands that had been irregularly titled in the pristine beach area of Bahia de las Aguilas, in Pedernales. The ruling is expected to be followed by government announcements in tourism development of the southwestern area.
Montalvo said the recent ruling means that 362 million square meters that had been fraudulently allotted to individuals have been returned to the state. The appropriations had affected protected areas within the Parque Nacional Jaragua. The case was begun in 1997, by the late lawyer Piky Lora, who demanded the state recover the property, starting a legal process that took 21 years to conclude in favor of the state. Lawyer Laura Acosta Lora would continue the case after her mother died, overcoming major obstacles.
Montalvo said that the Supreme Court ruling now opens doors for the development of the properties.
Meanwhile, environmental activist Yolanda Leon of Grupo Jaragua observed: “We hope that this ruling motivates, finally, the expropriation of the two illegal occupations that exist in Playa de la Cueva, outside the park and with excellent conditions, and that is what international investors want. We are concerned that these two occupations (Ecos del Mar and Rancho Typical Bahia de las Aguilas) have continued to expand and consolidate in recent years, and apparently have good sponsors, ” she told Diario Libre.
Andrés Marranzini, executive vice president of the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores) told Diario Libre reporters that Bahía de las Águilas is a privileged area in the world where, necessarily, sustainable tourism must be carried out. He expects the government will make known details of the negotiations ongoing for developments.
Meanwhile, Marino Jose Vilomar of the Pedernales tourism cluster said that the government is giving ambiguous signals. He told Diario Libre that the area needs to be developed as a low-density tourism zone so as not to affect the vulnerable environment. But he said he is equally concerned about the Medina administration’s openness to mining exploitation in the area. He said in November 2018 by Presidential Decree 430-18 an area close to Bahia de las Aguilas was declared the Avila Fiscal Reserve for Mining Exploitation despite being inside the Jaragua Biosphere Reserve.
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Presidencia
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
2 January 2019
