SANTO DOMINGO.- Haiti’s forests lost their the economic significance as a renewable resource a long time ago, and quickly loses its ecological function, affirmed today the executive secretary of the Dominican Integral Development Institute (IDDI), David Luther.

He said that though the economic loss can be conceivable and compensated, the forest ecosystem has enormous repercussions that would affect the subsistence of millions of people who live in both sides of the border.

The expert said that "years back, Haiti was covered with exuberant forests with ecological variations, defined in terms of different types of forestry, but those wooded areas have been reduced drastically, covering today only 5.7% of the total  surface in that country."

Luther spoke during the inaugural of the directors in the new IDDI branch in Haiti, located near the north coast city Cape Haitien.

The non-profit organization’s funding comes from the United Nations, the Agency for International Development (AID) and the business sector.

Luther said that the IDDI develops integral development projects in the border aimed at controlling deforestation of areas, and noted that the new office "will take advantage of the economic resources more rationally."

He pointed out that the Haitian and Dominican governments must include in their bilateral protocols effective components oriented to preserve the island’s natural resources.

A IDDI study found that in Haiti, more than 38% of the forested area is of pines which "has been degraded from a bad exploitation, forest fires and the conversion into grazing zones."

The IDDI director also revealed that in the border areas at Bánica and Pedro Santana (west) deserted land areas are being used for a project to produce "jastrofa," a tree of Mexican origin, to produce biodiesel at a low cost.

Luther also announced that the IDDI will organize an event with local investors to propose a project for the border, to control deforestation and preserve the natural resources.