Environment Ministry to regulate ecotourism along Palomino Dam route

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, together with the Ministry of Tourism, the Dominican Hydroelectric Generation Company, the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources, the Dominican Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture, travel operators, and ecotourism guides, created a working group to regulate ecotourism along the Palomino Dam or Río Blanco Canyon route in San Juan de la Maguana. The initiative aims to evaluate the route’s viability, which has grown in popularity over the last five years for domestic tourism, hiking, and ecotourism, despite the road not being designed for such activities.

Carolina Alba, Director of Protected Areas and a member of the group, explained that the Ministry is drafting regulations to ensure recreational activities at dams remain sustainable. The goal is to preserve reservoirs for their primary purposes—water supply, electricity generation, and irrigation—while allowing them to support local development through tourism. Alba emphasized that most dams lie within protected areas, and regulating their use will ensure sustainability, improve visitor experiences, and enhance economic opportunities for local communities.

The route will be closed for one month starting August 18, 2025, to assess its reorganization. The working group plans to develop a safe and environmentally responsible ecotourism package, balancing low-density tourism with community benefits and nature interpretation. Members will visit the Palomino Dam area alongside guides and tour operators to evaluate safety, environmental, social, and economic factors before making final decisions on the route’s future.