Environment Minister Frank Moya Pons gave instructions to his ministry’s attorney general to take measures that would ensure that the National Park of the East continues to be handled in accordance with Environmental Law 64-00, which dates back to 18 August 2000. “Amidst the press coverage of the intent to mutilate and occupy a portion of the National Park of the East, where offices and a guard house of this ministry are located, I courteously request that you investigate all aspects related to these operations,” were Moya Pons’ instructions to Jose Antonio Trinidad. The minister authorized the officer to take all measures for the preservation of the park, as reported in the Listin Diario. The announcement comes at a time that the Spanish conglomerate Globalia seeks to move forward on the construction of hotel rooms in that park area, following project endorsements from the Ministry of Tourism and the President’s office, despite such action being against the law.
El Caribe has been covering the actions of the Spanish company and other Dominican businesses in regards to development of sections of the protected areas. Moya Pons says he has entrusted Trinidad with the enforcement of articles 34, 165 and 166 of Environmental Law 64-00, which was one of the first signed into law by the Mejia administration back in August 2000.
For more information on environmental regulations and the Ministry of Environment, see: http://www.ceiba.gov.do