The destruction of Loma Charco Azul Biological Reserve

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(click to zoom) Location of Trocha de Zoquete

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Nota de Prensa 17 Julio 2013 Brochure "Proyectos Especiales en la Zona del Lago Enriquillo" del IAD

On the afternoon of July 16th 2013, the Dominican Agrarian Institute (IAD, in Spanish) placed bulldozers and other heavy machinery to start clearing the forest in the protected area known as Loma Charco Azul Biological Reserve, to establish an agrarian project called Trocha de Zoquete. This is one of the "Special Projects" from IAD in response to the growth of Lake Enriquillo. This project is located near Las Baitoas, Duverg county (municipio). As of today, July 17th at 11am, the dry forest in the area known as El Cantn had already been destroyed (see photos below).

Critical situation of Ricords iguana in the south of lake Enriquillo

In the news
Denuncian destruccin rea protegida (Diario Libre)

Audio

Discurso del Director del IAD 6 de Jul 2013, Jiman (.mp3)

Ambientalista s denuncian tala Loma Charco Azul Peridico Hoy) Denuncian IAD desmonta Reserva Biolgica (Z Digital)

En lnea
Minister of the Environment signs into destruction of Sierra de Bahoruco IBA, Dominican Republic (BirdLife International) DR bulldozes biodiversity hotspot (ENS) Critical situation in the Dominican Republic (Iguana Specialist Group) DR gov't initiates destruction of key biodiversity hotspot (allvoices.com)

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La iguana de Ricord: A merced de la voluntad poltica

IAD has been for the past 4 years been clearing forests in all the lake area, but has not handed in a signle parcel of land. They allege many resasons for this, however we believe one of the leading ones (they don't mention) is the high bill you can generate for the rental of heavy machinery to your friends. To continue these payments, now they need to clear protected areas. Also, in the information brochure "Proyectos Especiales" the project Trocha de Zoquete will benefit with just 11.5 tareas (1 tarea = 659 m2) per family, a ridiculous sum. And, local informants say many beneficiaries did not have land inundated by the lake, or simply had no land in that area.

La destruccin de la Reserva biolgica Loma Charco Azulgeografiafisic

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Conservation of Ricord's iguana in SW Dominican Rep

TThe Provincial Director for the Environment in Independencia, Teresa Gil, told GJ by phone on july 16th that she had denied the environmental permit for this projet. However, on 6 July, the IAD director publicly said that "the issue with that environment woman"had been solved. Who do we believe?

The area in question includes the most important habitat portion remaining for Ricord's iguana, which is only found in this region of the island (in contrast to the Rhinocerous iguana, which has a broader distribution). Ricords iguana is considered Critically Endangered by IUCN's Red List and also the National Red List, mostly due to habitat destruction. Now the Dominican State is added to the threats its facing. The Reserve was established also to protect another regional endemic: the Bay-breasted Cuckoo, which occurs in the higher parts of the Reserve.

When will we stop destroying our natural resources so that government employees and their friends continue to enrich themselves?/span>

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Last updated: 22 Jul 2013

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