Citizens rally to defend Botanical Garden from road project

Santo Domingo.- Hundreds of Dominicans gathered this Sunday at the Dr. Rafael María Moscoso National Botanical Garden in Santo Domingo to protest a proposed government road project that would impact a small section of the protected area. With banners and the firm slogan “Don’t touch the Botanical Garden!”, environmentalists, students, activists, and political representatives formed a human chain around the park starting at 9:00 a.m., voicing their unified opposition.

The demonstration was sparked by a plan to reduce approximately 200 square meters—around 0.01%—of the Botanical Garden’s area to alleviate traffic congestion. Although the proposed cut is minimal, opponents argue it violates the Constitution and Environmental Law 64-00, which prohibit reductions in protected zones. Activists warn this could set a dangerous precedent, allowing for future encroachments into other green spaces under similar justifications.

The protest was largely mobilized through social media, with prominent support from filmmaker José María Cabral. He emphasized that the movement is about more than one park—it’s a stand to protect all natural areas threatened by unchecked urban development.