Environment Ministry denies illegal extraction on Haina River, cites restoration project

Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources clarified that the work currently underway on the Haina River in the Manoguayabo area is part of an official environmental recovery and sanitation project, not an illegal extraction of materials as some residents had alleged.

According to the ministry, the intervention falls under Resolution No. 0002-2026, which declared the comprehensive recovery of the Haina River basin an environmental emergency due to years of environmental degradation affecting the area.

Authorities explained that the project targets key sectors of the basin, including Palavé and nearby areas connected to the Haina industrial corridor, where technical studies identified excessive sediment buildup, riverbank erosion, reduced drainage capacity and irregular occupations within protected zones along the river.

The ministry said the work includes riverbed restoration, bank stabilization, vegetation recovery and cleanup operations aimed at reducing flood risks and protecting nearby communities and infrastructure, especially during periods of heavy rainfall.

Officials also noted that stabilization efforts include the use of gabion structures made from recycled tires as part of the river restoration process.

The clarification comes after concerns raised by residents in Palavé, Lechería and other areas of Manoguayabo over the presence of heavy equipment near the river. The Ministry of Environment stated that the operation is being carried out under official supervision, with support from SENPA, the Environmental Prosecutor’s Office and other agencies involved in environmental crime prevention and enforcement.

Authorities urged the public to remain calm, emphasizing that the recovery of the Haina River is considered a priority environmental and community protection project for the region.