Since the beginning of the National Plan for Reforestation and Restoration of Forest Ecosystems 2023-2024 in the northern border, in the area of Los Cerros de Chacuey, Loma de Cabrera, Partido, El Pino, Restauración, the International Highway, Sabana Clara and Capotillo, El Castellar and Loma Masaquito, more than 600,000 trees of different species have been planted. The objective of this action is focused on strengthening the forest cover of the mountains that host different watersheds, as well as to restore areas affected by fires.
The plantations are being carried out in areas of the basins and micro-basins of the Artibonito, Dajabón, Masaquito, Maguaca, Chacuey, Inaje, Dajao, Neyta, Manatí and Macabón rivers, as well as in streams including the Juan Tomás, Frío, Corral, Tahuique and Azul, explained Oneyda González, provincial director of the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (MMARN).
González indicated that the provincial directorate of Dajabón maintains a constant work with the brigades of the National Reforestation Plan launched by the MMARN last June, with water protective and commercially valuable species. “We have 6 nurseries in the province for the production of root directed and bagged plants, which represent 16.4% of the national production,” he said.
“Since June we have planted a total of 623,748 species and impacted 13,884 tasks in the province of Dajabón, including the Sabana Clara Restoration Project, which makes a permanent effort in favor of the forests of the border region,” Gonzalez said.
He reminded that all citizens have the challenge of assuming the reforestation plan, “because conserving the water sources is a matter of national security and we are all aware of this reality, especially in this border zone”, he said.
He detailed that in the month of June 258,300 species were planted, in July 173,425; for August 49,745 and in September 142,278 plants to reach a total of 623,748.
“As part of the restoration we are carrying out in the Dajabón river basin, we have reforested in Loma Masaquito, the Dajao micro-watershed and Pico del Gallo,” explained González.
The provincial director of MMARN emphasized that the reforestation actions are carried out in alliance with public institutions, religious and civil society organizations, as well as with companies committed to the protection of forests, water sources and all natural resources.
“The vision of the Ministry of the Environment is to achieve a change in the relationship of citizens with nature, as our Minister Miguel Ceara Hatton has reiterated on numerous occasions,” said González.
In this context, he thanked the work of the technical team of the Provincial Directorate and the Municipal Restoration Office, the staff of Plan Sierra, the beekeepers’ associations and companies such as Beller, Cardisa, Codevi, Green Garden, the Coopbueno Foundation, the Provincial Government, Frontera and Agua Viva. Also, the Chacuey-Maguaca Watershed Council, the Army of the Dominican Republic and the Specialized Corps for Land Border Security (Cesfront).
González thanked the local media, the Comedores Económicos and the civil society committed to the preservation of natural resources.
He pointed out that together with the reforestation and care of the planted trees, the Provincial Directorate of the Environment in Dajabón is developing various talks in educational centers, Mothers’ Centers, Neighborhood Councils and organized groups in order to continue creating awareness in the new generations.
Source: presidencia.gov.do
