Last week, the government adopted generic categories approved by the Union Mundial para la Conservacion de la Naturaleza to organize a system of protected areas. Decree 309-95 establishes six distinct categories. The new legislation will affect some developers who intended to establish tourist projects in areas that environmentalists feel should be strictly preserved for eco-tourism.
These are:
1) Reserva natural estricta is an area designated exclusively for scientific research given the sensitivity of its ecosystems, the value of the indigenous species and its natural resources. Lagunas Redonda and Limón, in the vicinity of the town of Miches, with an area of 43 square kilometers are banned for tourism development. Also banned are El Hato, La Mina, Icacos, Los Urabos, Guaracuao, El Cedro, Los Guineos, Las Lisas and Sabana de Nisibon. Activities are limited to rudimentary fishing and coconut collecting in the plantations along the coast.
The new ruling states that buildings to house tourists in the areas of Lagunas Redonda and Limon should remain as they are, and not be expanded. It indicates that their permanence in the area will depend on residents not disturbing the ecosystems surrounding the sites of the businesses.
2) Area natural silvestre: is an area untouched by man whose biodiversity should be protected in an absolute way.
3) Parques nacional:es are extense areas not radically, or not all, affected by man, with natural resources, species of value and a diverse nature that are being dedicated to preservation, education and recreation.
4) Monumento natural are the areas with outstanding natural resources of important national or international worth that are conserved for educational and recreational purposes. The Cabarete and Goleta lagoons are designated natural monuments. These are both in the province of Puerto Plata.
Also designated natural monuments are the Bay of Maimón in the province of Puerto Plata, and the Chiquita lagoon in Higuey. Also the Bahía de Puerto Viejo in Azua and the Isla Catalina, off La Romana.
5) Area de manejo de habitat/especies. are natural areas, both on land and at sea, that are sanctuaries or refuges for fauna and flora of great value, that should be protected for scientific study and to guarantee their survival. These include the Gran Laguna in Nagua, María Trinidad Sánchez province, the Bahía La Jina in Miches, and the Laguna Bavaro on the East Coast. In the latter, the ciprinodon Higuey fish is found. This species is unique and only found in this particular lake. Also falling under this category is the Laguna Mallpén in San Pedro de Macorís. 6) Paisajes terresteres y marinos protegidos: are protected areas, be they on land or at sea, of impressive beauty, that are designated for recreation and educational purposes. These include Río Chavón in La Romana and Río Soco in San Pedro de Macorís.
The creating of the categories comes in response to concerns expressed by the Asociación para el Desarrollo de Cabarete-Sosua that sought protection for the Cabarete lagoon and adjacent wetlands in order that ecotourism may be successfully developed in these areas.