Dominican Environment Minister Tours Cibao

Newly appointed Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Jaime David Fernández Mirabal, toured various municipalities in the Northern region of the country and met with environmental organizations as well as with Monsignor Fabio Mamerto Rivas.

Fernández Mirabal held meetings with representatives of the Ecological Society of Cibao (SOECI), the Environmental Network of the Madre y Maestra Pontifical Catholic University (PUCMM)…

Fernández Mirabal held meetings with representatives of the Ecological Society of Cibao (SOECI), the Environmental Network of the Madre y Maestra Pontifical Catholic University (PUCMM) and the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), among others.

He participated in a reforestation work-trip in Jacagua Ecological Park along with a group of public school students from the area and representatives from several environmental organizations.

Later he met with students and teachers from the National Forestry School (ESNAFOR) in Jarabacoa. Following that meeting he paid a courtesy visit to Monsignor Fabio Mamerto Rivas at the Santo Domingo Savio Silesian School.

During his meeting with the Bishop Emeritus, the Environment Minister emphasized the need to form environmental defense committees in each municipality so that citizens can take up the issue themselves and collaborate with the task of protecting natural resources. Both authorities agreed to plan and carry out joint activities to protect the environment, with the support of the Catholic Church.

Quisqueya Verde in the North

Throughout the working trip in Jacagua, the group planted some 3,000, capa and golden penda plants as well as native mahogany and oak trees all of which are endemic and native species to the island. This reforestation marks the beginning of the Quisqueya Verde Reforestation Plan in the Northern zone. The program is working in conjunction with other institutions linked to the task of strengthening the country´s green areas.

The plants were carried there from Botanical Gardens and green houses owned by the Environment Ministry in Santiago, Villa Altagracia, La Vega and Santo Domingo. The plants were grown in soil from the Regional University Center of Santiago (CURSA), belonging to the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD).

The Quisqueya Verde reforestation program was re-launched last year with the help of an initial $25 million peso budget and was later reinforced through a request made by Mr. Fernández Mirabal, who was in charge of the program from 1996 to 2000. During this period, they planted 30 million trees around the whole country.

Accompanying the Environment Minister on his trip was Bernabé Mañón, deputy minister of Forest Resources and José Enrique Báez, Director of the Quisqueya Verde Plan.

Dominican Environment Minister, Jaime David Fernández Mirabal, speaking to students at the Santo Domingo Savio Silesian School as part of a courtesy visit he made to Monsignor Fabio Mamerto Rivas. PHOTO: Milton González.