Environment Ministry to Plant 400 Million Trees by the End of 2012

Environment Ministry to Plant 400 Million Trees by the End of 2012
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 8/19/2012

Bautisa Rojas Gómez, who took over last week as the new Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, announced that his Ministry will promote a huge national mobilization with the goal of planting some 4 million trees all around the country before the end of the year.

He said he is convinced that the most effective way of preserving the environment and natural resources is linking and empowering all sectors of society. He particularly called on the education and business sectors, political parties, the Church, governmental and non-governmental organizations, among others.

Minister Rojas Gómez said the initiative has the support of the “Brigadas Verdes” [Green Brigades], the Ministry of Education, the Armed Forces, local government councils and other public and private participation.

He said he is convinced that the most effective way of preserving the environment and natural resources is linking and empowering all sectors of society. He particularly called on the education and business sectors, political parties, the Church, governmental and non-governmental organizations, among others.

“In these coming weeks, we will be knocking on doors looking for those who can help us with this important task, which is to take care of our environment in order to benefit future generations who will inhabit this part of the island,” the Minister said in a communiqué from his office.

Mr. Rojas Gómez, who was sworn in as Minister of Environment and Natural Resources last Friday, also released information about this initiative and others like it that his Ministry will undertake for the remainder of the year.

He affirmed that he is fully aware of his responsibilities and the dedication and effort necessary to carry them out, “but we are confident that we will do what has never been done for the protection of the environment and natural resources in the Dominican Republic.”

He added that, although the forest ground cover in the country is only 40%, he promises that it will be increased over the course of the next four years.

By: E-mail News Service: diariodigitalrd1@gmail.com