MICHES, Dominican Repubilc.- International organisations, local authorities and a group of investors met last weekend in Miches to raise a sustainable development strategy oriented towards conservation and environmental protection, promotion of ecotourism and activities that help to strengthen the region socio- economically.

The aim of this meeting was to bring together the different entities that are actively involved in the development of the north east coast of the country including Miches, Sabana de La Mar and the Bay of Samaná. The attending institutions encouraged discussion to promote the exchange of ideas and partnerships for the development of strategies to help achieve a common goal.

Participants included The University of Columbia, USAID, the Council of Miches, the Ministry of Environment, the Cisneros Group, Fundation Tropicalia, Hotchkiss Group, Conatura, Fondesa Bank, the Chamber of Commerce and The Conservation Center of El Seibo and Eco-development of Samaná Bay and its Environment (CEBS).

The University of Columbia and other institutions have worked for over three years to promote the sustainable development in the region.

Henry Fernandez, a representative of The University of Columbia in the Dominican Republic, who took the initiative to bring together the different parties, mentioned the importance of creating a network between different institutions to collaborate in joint activities to raise awareness on the conservation and protection of natural resources in the area.

Participants were presenting topics such as the coral conservation, reforestation, sustainable fishing practices and eco-tourism among others.

During the weekend the conference was used to address issues of equal importance in the area including the development of infrastructure, education and training of the population, promotion of cultural activities and integration of local community.

A number of interested parties all emphasized the significance of promoting infrastructure development, specifically the completion of repairs to the road linking the town of Miches with El Seibo. They agreed that without roads in good conditions it would be difficult to execute all logistics operations and promoting various projects would become a greater challenge.

Manzanaro said that the great efforts have been made by Ceyba Park in respecting international environmental protocols in order to develop a fully integrated nature project. He has worked continuously for over 7 years recovering the mangroves and beaches and the flora and fauna by cleaning the river, forestation and repopulation of endemic animals.

He emphasizes the impact of deforestation that has affected not only the mangroves and the wildlife but also the corals that are weakened by some bacteria brought in by rivers.

Finally various groups attending the conference agreed on it success and undertook to arrange future meetings to develop their strategies and support for a sustainable ecotourism development program in the region.