Luis Carvajal, of the Environmental Committee of the Santo Domingo Autonomous University (UASD), reaffirmed the conviction that the Guaraguao-Punta Catuano National Recreational Area should continue to be free of constructions. The government had authorized the building of the Bayahibe Leaf hotel but later suspended this after environmental groups protested. The construction was authorized by an environmental permit issued by the Ministry of Environment under Angel Estevez. His predecessors had denied construction in the area over the past 20 years.
The UASD committee recommends that the recreational area be reincorporated to Cotubanamá National Park. The change of category to adapt the law to private interests is a technical aberration and lacks scientific backing, stated the committee. Carvajal participated in the Sabios de la Z program on Z101.3FM.
He said it has been impractical, absurd and meaningless, for the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources to separate the management plans of both protected areas, both of which are part of the National System of Protected Areas. As explained, both areas are connected and are part of a single system. The divide collides with all the principles of environmental management of ecosystems.
The UASD environmental group says that the permit issued by the Ministry of Environment to allow the construction of a hotel in the area violates the General Environmental Law 64-200 and the Protected Areas Law 202-2004, and at least 11 international agreements signed by the Dominican Republic and the Constitution.
The UASD committee highlights the extraordinary value of the diverse natural resources within the Cotubanamá National Park. It calls for the revoking of the environmental permit issued to Leaf Bayahibe Hotel of the Globalia Group. Globalia is the owner of Be Live Hotels and Air Europa airline.
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Somos Pueblo
El Dia
28 February 2020