I am planning to visit this area in February. I will be travelling alone. Any advice is welcome. I am particualrly interested in social/political history of this region. Thanks!

just observe

Sorry I just read your post. What did you wind up doing in Rio Limpio? I ask because I would have recommended a trip to Cueva de la Cidra-- LONG hike but spectacular.

best,
Dan

VISIT SAJOMA

Las Placetas in Santiago sets example with zero-waste program

Specialists from the Embassy of Germany, the Ministry of Environment and the Dominican Federation of Municipalities are making a difference by backing the Las Placetas Women's Club and the community of Las Carreras in Santiago province in their initiative to turn garbage into a positive in their community.

The German Cooperation Agency GTZ is working with the Ministry and the community in the implementation of the "Management and Protection of Natural Resources in Hydrographic Basis (Progeren III) program, which creates new garbage recycling entrepreneurs.

The "Zero Waste" model in Las Placetas has united 310 families. The community lives at an altitude of 1,500 meters in the Cordillera Central mountain range. Garbage is classified into glass, cans, plastics and paper and resold to Santiago recycling companies.

The women's group says that the positive impact they have on preserving Bao River is more important than the funds collected. They say that in the past garbage used to be dumped in open-air pits that were just burned when full, causing air pollution and respiratory illnesses in the area.

Organic garbage is composted and used as fertilizer for home farms. The women also make art and crafts from the plastic bottles and glass for home decoration and sale to visitors. The Las Placetas area covers 161 km2, has 9,600 inhabitants and is located in the protected area of the Forestry Reserve of Alto Bao, some 20kms within the Jose Armando Bermudez National Park in Santiago province.

The group recently met to announce their achievements so they can serve as an example to other communities. Francisco Flores Chang of the Ministry of Environment, Minister Counselor Stephan Evers of the German Embassy and Anja Kersten, in charge of economy and cooperation for the German Embassy attended the meeting along with Beatriz Alcantara of the Dominican Federation of Municipalities, Julio Estevez, director of the Municipal District of Las Placetas, and Gleny Gonzalez, in charge of bilateral cooperation for the municipality.

http://cig.gob.do/app2/article.aspx?id=33981