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The clearing and one of the trees. Photo elnuevodiario.com.do
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Pedernales, Dominican Republic.- The Nature Guides Association of the region denounced the unauthorized clearing of pine trees near the canyon Hoyo de Pelempito, in the Sierra de Bahoruco National Park, to build a heliport.

The environment group said the heliport is for use by the local and foreign tourists visit the caverns and the Park’s other natural attractions.

The group’s president Amauris Polanco said he saw more than 10 large trees which had been cut down in the parking lot area next to Pelempito’s visitor center, but couldn’t confirm if the Environment Ministry authorized it. “This has to be investigated so the Environment Ministry knows that Pedernales has its mourners and defenders.”

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COMMENTS
5 comment(s)
Written by: FredCDobbs This user is banned, 18 Aug 2009 10:58 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Parque Colon statue of Anacaona
is this an eco issue or a tour guide shakedown ...?..it sounds like these guys want their pound of flesh .....Remember this heliport maybe less stressful on park than a Mafia sindicato of tour guides ...let us have all the info
Written by: richardalberto, 18 Aug 2009 1:02 PM
From: United States
10 trees!!!!! 10 trees!!!! Give me a break!
Charge 3-4-5Dollars to get into the park and provide lunch and you can take that money to re-plant pines where the Bauxite excavation left it's mark.

Of course these little known "conservation" groups want to get their foot in the door by requesting that they be a part of the authorization process.

It's just another layer of extortion to tour operator's and developers.
Written by: chillaxin201 This user is banned, 18 Aug 2009 10:19 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Boycott Dominican Tourism
you can park a helicopter almost anywhere, we would you have to clear trees?
anyway.. this heliport could have been on the out skirts...
Written by: FredCDobbs This user is banned, 18 Aug 2009 11:13 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Parque Colon statue of Anacaona
chill it was the evil empire
Written by: anthonyC, 19 Aug 2009 10:02 AM
From: United States
Typical eco-terrorist garbage.

Nature is great but we want to keep it for us.
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