NewsWhore
05-26-2011, 05:00 PM
An important step towards the preservation of the Los Haitises National Park was taken yesterday with the formalization of a project by that consists of mapping out the park boundaries by Brazilian construction company Odebrecht. The project, which will cost RD$10 million donated by Odebrecht, will involve a precise demarcation of the areas that need to be preserved and protected. While the areas were established by Law 202-04, a lack of signage and general lack of awareness of their boundaries, has led to the exploitation of these lands, according to the Foundation for the Protection of the Los Haitises Karst (Funkarst).
Environment Minister Jaime David Fernandez, Frank Rainieri, president of Funkarst and Marco Cruz, general manager of Odebrecht made the announcement yesterday at the Ministry of Environment.
The project is part of a work plan in effect as a result of an agreement for the co-management of the park between Funkarst and the Ministry in August 2010. The plan is exploring the actions to be taken to protect the area and improve the livelihoods of farmers in the area.
Rainieri said that establishing the limits of Los Haitises was necessary to stop its destruction. He said there would be an increase in surveillance and that the foundation has worked to gradually relocate farmers living inside the park, and promote farming of peppers and cabbage in Gonzalo, outside the park. Work is also under way with international agencies to establish potable water pipelines into the community and other basic services. Tropigas is assisting so that local people may replace their wood-burning stoves with propane gas stoves.
Funkarst also said it is preparing three hiking trails for visitors to explore the park, its vegetation, fauna, springs, caves and cave art. The trails can be accessed from different points along the new Samana highway. There are plans to improve maritime access, to increase the number of visits by foreign and local tourists from Cano Hondo.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)
Environment Minister Jaime David Fernandez, Frank Rainieri, president of Funkarst and Marco Cruz, general manager of Odebrecht made the announcement yesterday at the Ministry of Environment.
The project is part of a work plan in effect as a result of an agreement for the co-management of the park between Funkarst and the Ministry in August 2010. The plan is exploring the actions to be taken to protect the area and improve the livelihoods of farmers in the area.
Rainieri said that establishing the limits of Los Haitises was necessary to stop its destruction. He said there would be an increase in surveillance and that the foundation has worked to gradually relocate farmers living inside the park, and promote farming of peppers and cabbage in Gonzalo, outside the park. Work is also under way with international agencies to establish potable water pipelines into the community and other basic services. Tropigas is assisting so that local people may replace their wood-burning stoves with propane gas stoves.
Funkarst also said it is preparing three hiking trails for visitors to explore the park, its vegetation, fauna, springs, caves and cave art. The trails can be accessed from different points along the new Samana highway. There are plans to improve maritime access, to increase the number of visits by foreign and local tourists from Cano Hondo.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)