NewsWhore
06-30-2010, 03:20 PM
Geologist Osiris de Leon of the Academy of Science says that economic interests had influenced the decision by members of the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) that accepted the sale of property inside the National Park of the East, a protected area. De Leon, who is the Natural Science and Environment coordinator at the Academy, explained the court's decision in this way, and said that if the SCJ had acted in good faith and with conscience, it would have rejected the appeal.
"The environmental sector has been surprised and dismayed by this assault on the environment that is also a violation of the law", said De Leon. He added that the judges had violated Law 202-04 that protects the park, and Environmental Law 64-00. He also mentioned the violation of decrees. He said he prefers to think the SCJ judges were caught by surprise by economic interests linked to the development of tourism projects.
He expressed regret that the court had not consulted the public and private entities that work in defense of the environment before making their decision.
He told reporters that the environmental community would not stand by and they are going to complain. He said this decision is "an assault on society, because when there is an assault on the environment, there is an assault on society".
Meanwhile, PLD deputy for the Province of Santo Domingo, Manuel Jimenez sent a resolution requesting that the SCJ revoke the decision to the Commission of Justice of the Chamber of Deputies. He said that the Constitution is clear in stipulating where protected areas cannot be reduced, as reported in Hoy.
Furthermore, the director of Protected Areas of the Ministry of Environment said that security in the National Park of the East would be strengthened to prevent the Supreme Court of Justice from implanting the privatization order. Jose Manuel Mateo said they would be guaranteeing the integrity of the park that belongs to the Dominican people, as reported in Hoy. He said that after the park area was declared a protected area in 1970, the land within its limits could not be bought or sold. Mateo said the area received over 300,000 visitors a year. "The Supreme Court has failed the supreme interests of Dominican society," said Mateo. He called on the population to defend the park as it had done with Los Haitises. The park is known for its historical and archaeological sites and its biodiversity.
Deputy Environment Minister Eleuterio Martinez described the decision as "incredible and lacking in logic". Quoted in Hoy, he asks how could this have happened with a brand new Constitution that establishes that National Park land cannot be transferred? He said if this is allowed, then we can forget other protected areas that will pass on to private hands. He said the decision was "a monstrosity that brings with it dangers for the nation and the future of our children."
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#12)
"The environmental sector has been surprised and dismayed by this assault on the environment that is also a violation of the law", said De Leon. He added that the judges had violated Law 202-04 that protects the park, and Environmental Law 64-00. He also mentioned the violation of decrees. He said he prefers to think the SCJ judges were caught by surprise by economic interests linked to the development of tourism projects.
He expressed regret that the court had not consulted the public and private entities that work in defense of the environment before making their decision.
He told reporters that the environmental community would not stand by and they are going to complain. He said this decision is "an assault on society, because when there is an assault on the environment, there is an assault on society".
Meanwhile, PLD deputy for the Province of Santo Domingo, Manuel Jimenez sent a resolution requesting that the SCJ revoke the decision to the Commission of Justice of the Chamber of Deputies. He said that the Constitution is clear in stipulating where protected areas cannot be reduced, as reported in Hoy.
Furthermore, the director of Protected Areas of the Ministry of Environment said that security in the National Park of the East would be strengthened to prevent the Supreme Court of Justice from implanting the privatization order. Jose Manuel Mateo said they would be guaranteeing the integrity of the park that belongs to the Dominican people, as reported in Hoy. He said that after the park area was declared a protected area in 1970, the land within its limits could not be bought or sold. Mateo said the area received over 300,000 visitors a year. "The Supreme Court has failed the supreme interests of Dominican society," said Mateo. He called on the population to defend the park as it had done with Los Haitises. The park is known for its historical and archaeological sites and its biodiversity.
Deputy Environment Minister Eleuterio Martinez described the decision as "incredible and lacking in logic". Quoted in Hoy, he asks how could this have happened with a brand new Constitution that establishes that National Park land cannot be transferred? He said if this is allowed, then we can forget other protected areas that will pass on to private hands. He said the decision was "a monstrosity that brings with it dangers for the nation and the future of our children."
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#12)