The Dominican Republic has some of the most diverse habitats in the Caribbean, with an extremely rich, highly endemic and also threatened biodiversity. The country's rich wildlife also makes a big contribution towards making the Caribbean among the five most important hotspots for global biodiversity.

Since 1974, a comprehensive Protected Areas system encompassing more than 15% of the country’s land area has existed. Now a newly proposed law threatens to decimate this system by opening it up to development. However, as well as being detrimental to the country's wildlife, there is also strong evidence that these development initiatives do not have much support from local people.

The proposed law would remove protection from all the costal areas of Parque del Este and Jaragua National Parks (the country's first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve). Endangered ecosystems would disappear, including coastal wetlands, Important Bird Areas (IBAs), as well as globally significant sites for the critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata and West Indian Manatee Trichechus manatus.

The new law now has to be signed off by the Government and President in order to come into force.

For further information about what you can do to help please contact:
Yvonne Arias, Grupo Jaragua (jaragua@tricom.net)
Rosa Lamelas, Consorcio Ambiental Dominicano (cad@verizon.net.do)

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