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BARAHONA, Dominican Republic. - The Dominican and Haitian governments agreed to work together to confront the health and food supply crises, and to create economic alternatives for the livelihood of the inhabitants near lakes Enriquillo and Azuei.

Dominican Environment minister Jaime David Fernandez Mirabal and his Haiti par Jean Marie Claude signed an agreement in Barahona, to conduct cross-border reforestation with native varieties in river basins, to retain rainwater, lower the drainage rate and halt erosion.

Moreover, the ministers also agreed to halt the extraction of sand fro open quarries in the areas of Fonds-Parisien and Fonds-Bayard and the cleanup of the Malpaso and Jimaní zones, as well as to adopt measures for sustainable development.

“To consolidate the execution of these actions, the ministers agreed to seek cooperation from international agencies such as the United Nations Program for Development and the United Nations Program for the Environment, among others, to continue the efforts and launch economic and social development programs in those communities,” says the statement signed during the Bi-national Forum on the Problems of Lakes Azuei and titled Enriquillo.

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COMMENTS
8 comment(s)
Written by: glomarexplorer, 11 Aug 2009 12:46 PM
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
This is definitely in our best interest to solve this potential ecological bomb ASAP.

Future repercussions could materialize as microclimate changes with dire consequences for DR. Rain fall and wind patters could be adversely affected, with unknown potentially catastrophic impact on crops production.

At risk of sounding like a "tree hugger", I would advocate a massive undertaking of reforestation, supplemented with free cooking gas to keep people from plucking the saplings and letting them mature.

Some gas could come from manure and waste; the rest from UN & other benevolent entities. Such actions could go a long way towards reversing problem. After that, Haiti will have to arrest its uncontrolled, unsustainable population explosion; then we could have our country back!
Written by: etiennc01, 11 Aug 2009 12:46 PM
From: United States
We have heard what intelligent ,realistic and optimistic people said they would do , now lets hear what the ignorant , the pessimistic the loom and doom people will say .
I predict 50 negative comments.
Let's who will start spitting the first insult.
Written by: xwill7, 11 Aug 2009 2:27 PM
From: United States, Chicago
I don't think that Haiti could afford to jail all of the many tree cutters
Written by: etiennc01, 11 Aug 2009 4:19 PM
From: United States
estrella, where you breed has been to to shed a humam light on the Haitian Dominican dilemma
Written by: etiennc01, 11 Aug 2009 4:19 PM
From: United States
estrella, where you breed has been to to shed a humam light on the Haitian Dominican dilemma
Written by: xwill7, 11 Aug 2009 5:00 PM
From: United States, Chicago
estrella,
When you are poor you do anything to survive and put food on the family table... even if that means chopping down some trees. They all know that its bad to chop down the trees but they are in survival mode and have to make a few pesos what ever way possible
Written by: Docpeters, 11 Aug 2009 10:25 PM
From: United States Virgin Islands
Perhaps there is hope for Haiti: There have been more calls from the Haitian Diaspora for a change in the laws to enable nationals overseas to contribute more to the country's development. Haitians holding dual citizenship are barred by law from holding public office. The issue came up at a weekend conference with the former United States President Bill Clinton who is now the United Nations Envoy to Haiti. The Diaspora contributes a significant amount to Haiti's Gross Domestic Produce. They pay for schools, health care and food. In the meantime, Mr. Clinton has announced plans to lead an international trade mission of private investors to Haiti in October. Mr. Clinton says the mission will pursue energy and other development projects, including agriculture, construction and textiles. The former president told the Haitian Diaspora Unity Congress in Miami that stability had improved in the Caribbean nation, thereby providing new opportunities for foreign investment. (Radio Jamaica)

Written by: xwill7, 12 Aug 2009 9:50 AM
From: United States, Chicago
yes but they live day to day and do not thing about long term
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