NewsWhore
04-06-2011, 04:50 PM
The sudden appearance of some 32 "forest fires" in Los Haitises National Park is once more causing concern. According to the Ornithological Society for Hispaniola the parkland is becoming "one great big family plot" (conuco in Spanish) where slash and burn farming methods are destroying the habitat of dozens of species, doing considerable harm to the flora and fauna.
According to Hoy newspaper, the fires are being started by poor Dominican and Haitian farmers trying to eke out a living out of the poor soil. Because of the high rainfall in the area it is a favored area for planting tubers like "yautia" (taro), in demand in the local markets.
Executive director of the bird-watching society Jorge Luis Brocca said that the situation is so out of hand that trucks are going in and out of the park carrying bags full of the tubers.
A major problem is the lack of supervision inside the 825 square kilometer park. The observation posts are not properly equipped, which effectively allows the rogue farmers to do whatever they want. He said that the greatest damage could be observed in Los Limones in the province of Monte Plata and in Los Arroyos in the province of Hato Mayor.
Last year the Ministry of Environment supported the installation of a cement factory outside the park but the plan met with strong local opposition. A United Nations commission that looked into the matter overrode government support for the factory.
Los Haitises, a vulnerable natural area, is considered the most important water reserve for the country.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)
According to Hoy newspaper, the fires are being started by poor Dominican and Haitian farmers trying to eke out a living out of the poor soil. Because of the high rainfall in the area it is a favored area for planting tubers like "yautia" (taro), in demand in the local markets.
Executive director of the bird-watching society Jorge Luis Brocca said that the situation is so out of hand that trucks are going in and out of the park carrying bags full of the tubers.
A major problem is the lack of supervision inside the 825 square kilometer park. The observation posts are not properly equipped, which effectively allows the rogue farmers to do whatever they want. He said that the greatest damage could be observed in Los Limones in the province of Monte Plata and in Los Arroyos in the province of Hato Mayor.
Last year the Ministry of Environment supported the installation of a cement factory outside the park but the plan met with strong local opposition. A United Nations commission that looked into the matter overrode government support for the factory.
Los Haitises, a vulnerable natural area, is considered the most important water reserve for the country.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)