In an unprecedented action, the Ministry of Environment, the National Environmental Protection Service (Senpa), the Dominican Army (ERD), and the Migration Agency (DGM) have come together to increase the protection of the National Parks System. Focused on the three most important parks, the aim is threefold: stop illegal logging activities; stop the pillaging of the flora and fauna endemnic to the parks, and stop illegal farming in these areas.
These agencies follow a zero-tolerance policy regarding any illegal activity in the parks. In addition to combating the illegal stuff, the agencies are also trying to instill awareness of the benefits of protecting the areas.
It is most likely that these parks are the Jaragua Park in the southwest of the country, the Jose Armando Bermudez National Park in the Central Mountain Range, and Jose del Carmen Ramirez National Park in the western part of the Central Mountain Range. The Haitises National Park on Samana Bay is constantly under attack by farmers, and the Sierra de Bahoruco National Park is the scene of much charcoal burning. It would seem that these agencies will extend their vigilance to all of the parks.
Well-versed news analyst Freddy Ortiz recently complained that in reality the Ministry of Environment and the Migration Agency are throwing the ball among each other when people complain of Haitians creating settlements in border area National Parks.
Read more in Spanish:
El Caribe
Freddy Ortiz
7 April 2025