The Central Mountain Range in the Dominican Republic is in a great part a protected area under Protected Areas Law 202-04. Some of the mountain peaks are well known such as Duarte, the highest in the Caribbean. Others have picturesque names, and some have funny names such as Nalga de Maco, or Toad Butt Mountain. No matter the name, these are areas vital to the nation’s watersheds that carry water to reservoirs, agriculture, and for human consumption.
Last week a Dominican and four Haitian employees were arrested for felling trees in the protected area near Villa Los Almacigos in the province of Santiago Rodriguez. Destruction of the forest violates Environment Law 64-00 and Protected Areas Law 202-04.
The group was tracked down by forest rangers serving the Ministry of Environment assisted by members of the Dominican armed forces. The teams of forest rangers and army personnel are now using more advanced technology to scour the areas, using drones and other electronic surveillance equipment. Some 25% of the nation’s land area is considered to be under Protected Areas Law 202-04.
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Ministry of Environment
Acento
3 June 2024