President Leonel Fernández named November the Month of Reforestation. The director of the National Department of Parks Omar Ramírez announced that 15 millions trees, most of varieties that grow rapidly, will be planted all throughout the country. A special emphasis will be given on planting around the river basins, parks, avenues and recreation areas. Thousands of trees will be planted to protect the Cordillera Central, the mountain chain where 14 rivers originate. Heading the operation are Manuel Serrano, executive director of the National Plan Green Quisqueya; Omar Ramírez, director of the National Parks Department; Radhamés Lora Salcedo, director of the National Forestry Department, and José Miguel Martínez, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources of the Ministry of Agriculture. This time around, the team of foresters hope to avoid the errors made after Hurricane David. Back in 1979, the government planted imported species that 20 years later did not withstand the winds of a strong hurricane, such as Georges. Omar Ramírez, director of the National Parks Department explained that for instance, in the case of Mirador Sur Park, the Department of Parks inventory showed that previous governments had planted 98 different species there, of which only six were native trees. The native species have proven to be more resistant to the winds. Ramírez said that the government will be planting trees that grow quickly such as the memiso, mara, Juan Primero, and Penda. The Department of Parks will be working closely with the City Hall to coordinate tree planting in the city of Santo Domingo and other cities. According to technicians from the National Botanical Gardens, there are over 6,000 native plants and trees many of these available at their nursery for RD$3-RD$10 each. In an interview with the Listín Diario, engineer Milton Martínez explained that it is better for home owners and the city to continuously prune the trees, limiting the height of trees to one level of branches. This will cause less damage to sidewalks and provide the necessary shade. The botanical gardens is recommending planting: gri grí, caoba, almácigo, carambola, Juan Primero, penda, palmas, mamey, alamo, mara, abey, tabebuia, uva de playa, hojancho, guayacan, cubanola dominguensis, guayaba de indio and cotoperí.
