Falcondo says that it makes no sense to declare Loma Miranda in La Vega province a national park. A report funded by Falcondo describes the plan as irrational and says it would make no contribution to the local flora and fauna. The report adds that the decision could also have legal consequences for the government because the area is private property.
Falcondo owns 1,373 hectares in the mountain and needs permission from the Ministry of Environment to extract minerals from the area.
Religious leaders, community activists and Academy of Science experts have come out strongly against the proposed mining in the area. They point to the devastation of farmlands and the environment caused by the company in its mining sites in neighboring Monsignor Nouel province.
A bill to declare the area a national park has already been passed in the Chamber of Deputies and is pending approval in the Senate.
www.listindiario.com.do/la-republica/2014/2/13/310680/Loma-Miranda-no-califica-para-Parque-Nacional