A Vision for Biodiversity in Dominican Republic for 2025

William Kaschak

International Resources Group, Dominican Republic

Mr. Kaschak will make a presentation on a vision for Biodiversity in the Dominican Republic for the year 2025. This Vision Statement was prepared in 2005. Its purpose is to serve as precursor for a sectoral law for Bio-Diversity which has been drafted by the Secretariat of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARENA) with support from the USAID-funded Improving Policies for Environment Protection (IPEP ).

The presentation begins considerations of the importance of Bio-diversity for the Dominican Republic as well as for the Caribbean Basin writ large. It continues by describing the critical dimensions of Bio-diversity in the Dominican Republic—inter alia, a high degree of endemism and an elevated possibility of species extension. Next the presentation moves to the purpose of the Vision and how it was crafted—viz., via a participatory process with representation of the public sector, private sector and civil society.

The presentation then focuses on the structure of the Vision document proper. First consideration is given to the cross-cutting themes (viz., Habitat Conservation, Management of Genetic Material, Conservation of Endangered Species, of Bio Diversity, and Control of Exotic Species) that are central to the Vision and to Bio-diversity Protection in the DR. The end game for each theme is described as is the importance (derived benefit) of achieving the end-game. The presentation moves on to a discussion of the related policies (e-g. Land Zoning, Protected Areas, and Forestry Management) that is critical for Biodiversity Protection goals. The Presentation closes with treatment of the roles of the Government, private enterprises and Non-Profit and Community–Based groups in realizing the vision.