Religious, environmental, and social sectors march in Santiago against exploitation of the Cordillera Septentrional

Santiago. – Religious groups, environmental organizations, and various social sectors held a massive march this Wednesday to reject any attempt at mining exploitation in the Cordillera Septentrional, with the aim of drawing the attention of the authorities and demanding that this ecological lung of the country be respected. The demonstration, led by religious and community leaders, began in the municipal district of Canabacoa and went along the Duarte highway, where it will culminate at the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration. During the journey, long lines of vehicles moved with their lights on and flags of the Dominican Republic, as a symbol of the resounding rejection of the possible intervention of this mountainous area.

You can also read: Army detains 18 Haitian nationals in communities of Santiago Rodríguez

Among the main conveners is the priest Nino Ramos, who has repeatedly denounced that the exploitation of the Cordillera Septentrional would constitute “a crime against nature” and a direct threat to water sources and life that affects this city and the country

Father Rogelio Cruz also joined the protest, who expressed his outright opposition to any mining project in the mountain range, even going so far as to demand the resignation of the Minister of Energy and Mines, Joel Santos, for considering that from that institution uncertainty has been allowed to be generated about the future of this strategic ecosystem. The protesters stated that they would stand firm and defend nature, understanding that any intention to exploit part of the Northern Mountain Range represents an environmental outrage and an attack against present and future generations. In the march, representatives from different political sectors, social leaders, environmentalists, and religious figures participated, who agreed that the preservation of the mountain range should be a national priority and not a subject subject to economic interests. The organizers warned that mobilizations and peaceful actions will continue until the authorities definitively rule out any exploitation initiative in this important natural reserve of the country.