Environment drones to battle arsonists in major national park

Santo Domingo.- The Environment Ministry on Thursday announcedheightened land and air patrols over the Los Haitises National Park (east), asa precaution given the country’s prolongeddry season.

Environment said the measures include the deployment ofmore firefighters to deal with a potential increase of forest fires and expandedair surveillance flights with drones.

It said authorities and farmers adjacent to the NationalPark work on an awareness program to prevent potential arsonists from trespassingto harm one of the country’s biggest protected areas.

“The Ministry of the Environment is working on this land byplanting cacao, coffee, coconut and avocado, with the aim of promoting reforestationand increased production,” it said in a statement.