RD$928M reforestation project to make RD$1.0B+ yearly income

Santo Domingo.- President Danilo Medina on Sundaypresented the Sustainable Development Project for the of the Sabana Yegua Dam UpperBasin, in Azua (south), to reforest over 5,000 hectares.

He said the project will reduce poverty, protectthe environment and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Medina said planted on the lands will be treesfor timber, coffee, and avocados, and crops such as red pepper and tomatoes ingreenhouses, and beekeeping among others.

Medina said once the RD$928.0 million projectis fully operational, expected income will exceed RD$1.0 billion per year, willalso create more than 1,600 direct jobs and train around 4,000 people.

"Theproject will impact on improving the quality of natural resources and theenvironment. Therefore the provinces of Azua, Bahoruco, San Juan andIndependencia will have more water for farm production," he said, adding thatthe inhabitants of Las Cañitas, Padre Las Casas and Azua will improve their livingconditions.

The President said nearly 80,000 people livein Sabana Yegua’s upper basin, where the project will take them from poverty toprosperity but noted that in addition to enthusiasm, they should adopt a commitment."The mere intervention of the Government is not enough to materialize suchan initiative."