Ministry of Environment and Germany Agree on Extending the Sustainable Resources Border Management Program

Ministry of Environment and Germany Agree on Extending the Sustainable Resources Border Management Program
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 12/28/2011

As part of the Bilateral Financial Cooperation between the Dominican Republic and Germany, an agreement was reached to undertake the Sustainable Management Program of Natural Resources on the Border Area (PROMAREN in Spanish), to be carried out under the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources with co-financing from the German Development Bank (KFW in German).

The objective of the program is the conservation of biodiversity and natural resources in the areas of ecology and water resource preservation  and use along the Dominican border with Haiti.

The program, which began in 2008 and was originally slated to last four years, was extended until 2013.  The agreement pertains to the area of the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve (covering the provinces of Barahona, Bahoruco, Independencia and Pedernales) and the Upper Basin of the Artibonito River in the provinces of Elías Piña, the municipality of Restauración, Dajabón province and the municipality of Las Matas de Farfán in the province of San Juan.

The objective of the program is the conservation of biodiversity and natural resources in the areas of ecology and water resource preservation  and use along the Dominican border with Haiti.

The contribution from Germany was in excess of €5.5 million Euros and PROMAREN co-financed projects with amounts between €30,000 and €200,000 Euros (equivalent to approximately $1.5 and 10.5 million Dominican pesos). Some 28 jointly-financed projects are in the pipeline for the duration of the Border Area Program that will also include participation of governmental institutions, non-governmental and community organizations, local governments and assorted participating businesses.

Expected results of the program include the co-management of protected areas, integration of the various local actors in the area, promotion of improved conservation of the soil and water resources, increase in income for the rural families in the area through the sustainable use of natural resources.

Debt Swap Fund

Additionally, as stated in the concept and structures of PROMAREN, the Ministries of Environment and Finance signed a Debt Swap Agreement with the German Development Bank for a total of €5.164 million Euros. Of this amount, €2.582 is earmarked for investment in the border area; the remaining 50% will be donated once the technical and financial fulfillment of the investment has been met as part of the Debt Swap Agreement.

The investment components of the Debt Swap seek to improve control and vigilance in the protected areas of the Jaragua-Bahoruco- Enriquillo Biosphere, the Nalga National Park of Maco, the Sierra de Neiba National Park and the Wild Life Refuge of Chaquey River. It also seeks the reforestation and forestry regeneration in the protected areas of the Jaragua-Bahoruco- Enriquillo Biosphere, the Nalga National Park of Maco, the Sierra de Neiba National Park and the Wild Life Refuge of Chaquey River, the Basin of Enriquillo Lake and the Upper Basin of the Artibonito, Masacre and Chaquey Rivers.

Organizations to receive the first pay-outs for their corresponding Debt Swap projects are:

1.- Association for the Sustainable Forestry Development of Restoration Totalamount: RD$ 5,864,826.00, First disbursement RD$733,103.25

2.- Foundation for the Development of the Province of Dajabón Totalamount: RD$ 5,807,048.40, First disbursement: RD$725,881.05

3.- Ecological Society of Pedernales (SOEPA), Totalamount: RD$ 5,537,660.40,    First disbursement: RD$ 692,207.55

4.- Sur Adelante Foundation (FUSURA), Totalamount: RD$5,444,962.80,  First disbursement: RD$ 680,620.35

5.- Council of the Chaquey-Maguaca River Basin, Totalamount: RD$5,908,465.20, First disbursement: RD$738,558.15

6.- Los Ríos Municipality District Town Hall, Totalamount: RD$5,818,006.80,     First disbursement: RD$727,250.85

PROMAREN

1.- Institute for the Development for Economic Associations (IDEAC) Totalamount: RD$ 10,486,535.80, First disbursement: RD$1,063,743.60  

2.- Cooperative of Organic Producers of El Valle de Río Limpio Totalamount: RD$ 10,115,661.00,  First disbursement: RD$751,644.15

3.- Support Foundation for the Southeast (FUNDASUR) Totalamount: RD$6,140,156.18, Fourth disbursement: RD$912,721.24