We are still lucky that our generation still gets to enjoy some of the world's natural wonders, including those located in the Dominican Republic. But if continued invasive development still prevails in the coming decades, I can already see the generations after us having less of what we enjoy now.
A lot of environmentalists and citizens have raised this concern in Dominican Republic, where a cement mine granted under questionable circumstances is operating. The very existence of this cement mine can be fatal to the thriving of one of the country's most important forest spaces, the Los Haitises National Park.
Work on the mine, which is located near the buffered zone of the National Park, was temporarily suspended by the court, though environmental advocates say that a total should be put in effect instead, because the mine operation is damaging to the Park's mangrove and marine ecosystem.
Furthermore, these critics also note that Consorcio Minero Dominicano, the mine operator, also improperly acquired the license it had received from the Secretariat of Natural Resources. This eventually raised concerns that the company will not comply with statutes made in place to preserve the local environment.
In my personal opinion, such projects close to sites where the environment is strictly protected should be banned altogether. The money that can be had from this cement mine will just last for a while. Once the mine is exhausted, it is left on its own and the surrounding environment is damaged altogether--whereas a preserved national park can bring in the money indefinitely.
Then there are reasons more important than the money. No government or human being has the right to claim the entire planet his or hers. We all die and the next generations will eventually inherit the planet from us. If we do not take care of our planet, what will be left to them? Sustainable development is what we need. It's time to change our mindsets and go for development that can be preserved.
