The Ministry of Environment has taken the side of environmentalists who protest actions to change the limits of the Parque Nacional Jaragua. The change would be to enable tourism developments in the southwestern area known for its biodiversity.
The Fifth Chamber of the Superior Administrative Court (TSA) has issued protection ruling no. 0030-1643-2025-SSEN-00786. This ruling orders the modification of the boundaries of Jaragua National Park to allow for tourism development, following a legal challenge filed by a private company.
The Ministry of Environment issued a press release categorically rejecting the court’s decision. The Ministry warned that this ruling sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the integrity of the National System of Protected Areas.
An editorial in Noticias SIN highlights the concerns. Titled, the Jaragua National Park is Not Available Land,” the editorial says the park is the natural heritage of all Dominicans. It warns that attempting to modify its boundaries for tourism exploitation through a court ruling violates the Constitution and the laws that safeguard our protected areas.
“Defending Jaragua is defending the public interest, biodiversity, and sustainable development. The law is clear: national parks are to be preserved, not negotiated,” states the editorial writer.
The editorial speaks to constitutional inviolability. It argues that protected areas are inalienable (cannot be sold or transferred) under Article 16 of the Dominican Constitution. The editorial warns that using a judicial sentence to bypass legislative environmental protections is a direct threat to the rule of law.
While development is sought in the southwestern province of Pedernales, where a large portion of the Jaragua National Park is located, the editorial insists it must happen outside the park’s boundaries. It specifically references past attempts to fragment the park to accommodate large-scale hotel projects.
The text implies that the Ministry of Environment and the Judiciary must act as guardians, not facilitators, for private interests. The editorial is a response to the “Bucanyé” and “Cabo Rojo” developments, where environmental groups (such as Grupo Jaragua) have denounced the destruction of wetlands and the illegal demarcation of state lands within protected zones.
The Abinader administration has sought to replicate the Punta Cana mass tourism model in the southwestern beach area, with the construction of large hotels to be operated by international companies. The government has also facilitated the operation of a Mexican-managed cruiseship port terminal with all-inclusive facilities that keep the visitors entertained within the complex.
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Noticias SIN
Noticias SIN
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5 February 2026