Tension in presentation of the project “Botanical Garden is not just a fence, the sidewalks will be taken”

Santo Domingo.– An atmosphere of tension was experienced during the official presentation of the road and environmental solution project for República de Colombia avenue, when the question-and-answer sessions were opened to address public concerns. One of the most critical moments occurred with the intervention of the former director of the National Botanical Garden, Ricardo García, who denounced lack of transparency and possible legal violations in the plan that contemplates intervening areas adjacent to the garden.

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“We were prevented from letting information flow to the population. We know the history and characteristics of the Botanical Garden in depth, and now we understand why the authorities were silent,” García said, criticizing what he considered a blocking attitude during the event.

He affirmed that, although it has been promised that “the fence will not be touched”, the Botanical Garden is not limited to the perimeter of its fence. “From the sidewalk, that is already an integral part of the National Botanical Garden. There are large spaces, such as those bordering the Republic of Argentina and Los Próceres, which must also be protected,” he added. García also referred to legal conflicts over the ownership of the land: “From the very moment of the expropriation there are plots in litigation, and previous governments tried to resolve without reaching definitive agreements with the owners.” Finally, he called on the citizenry to demand transparency, access to information, and absolute respect for the surroundings of the Botanical Garden, considering that it constitutes an invaluable natural heritage for the city and the country.