The border separating Haiti and the Dominican Republic is considered to the most impoverished regionsn of the country from both an economic and environmental point of view. This is because of the increased poverty and illegal foresting associated with the area. In fact, it is already pretty normal for police officers to inspect the area and find tons of illegally produced forest products, which are then confiscated.
But these materials will just go to waste if left to rot somewhere. Why not make use of it and give the proceeds to restoration efforts?
That's what exactly the Dominican Republic Agribusiness Bourse (BARD) and the Environment Ministry (SEMARENA) are doing to help the country's forest restoration efforts. They will be selling all wood, charcoal, and other forest products seized for illegal traffic, according to them.
According to Environment minister Jaime David Fernandez Mirabal and BARD president Omar Benítez, the proceeds of the sales will be forwarded to the "Planting Towards a Green Border" project under the Plan Green Quisqueya (Verde).
They further said that the value of the forest products may reach up to RD$60 million. It is their aim to make the auctions as transparent as possible as well as to seek the end of this illegal practice by making a political use for all the seized products.
As mentioned already above, this side of the country is considered to be among the most impoverished regions. It's fortunate to know that efforts are already underway to address this deplorable situation. It's also good that the proceeds will be forwarded for forest restoration. At first hearing, the fate of the items seem to be undesirable because they will be sold instead of disposed, but upon hearing the purpose of the auction, I felt that it was really the way to go.
Aside from the environmental benefits, what I'm actually looking forward to is the softening of the relationship between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Hopefully this will be a step towards that direction.
