Monday, Dominican and Haitian authorities have announced joint measures to develop eco-tourism through the creation of a linear park, linking the Dominican town of Dajabon (North West) to the city of Ouanaminthe in Haiti (North-East).

The Senator Dominican Sonia Mateo and Ana Carrasco, head of the Department of Environment in Dajabón have announced to reporters that thousands of trees will be planted on both sides of the Massacre River, which separates the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Sonia Mateo said that it has "a high interest" of authorities and organizations in the Dominican province of Dajabon and to Ouanaminthe in Haiti, to promote environmental projects that improve the quality of life of people living on both sides of the border.

Renette Pencibalo Roullet, supervisor of the forest environment, of North and North-East in Haiti, said for her part, there was a clear intention of the Government of Haiti and of many Haitians to work with Dominicans to find environmental solutions to border problems that affect people of both countries. She said that Haitians must learn and understand the problems of Haiti will not find a solution if these problems are left to the sole charge of the international community and has recognized the interest of the Dominican Republic to improve the situation in Haiti.

Although the Dominican environmentalists have denounced the illegal exploitation of the environment [building materials] on the Haitian side of the River Massacre, the expert Rafael Silverio wished to add that the situation had "significantly improved" because of the awareness of many Haitians living on the border.

This project is being evaluated, the costs of this ecological project, which must be subject to adjustment, have not been disclosed to the press.

S/ HaitiLibre