Dominican-Haiti border burns at a US$2.5M yearly rate
Moss M. Jack
SANTO DOMINGO.- An Environment Ministry study in Baoruco and
Independencia provinces (southwest) identified 23 communities where
200 people make 37,000 sacks of charcoal per month, a clandestine
market worth RD$89.2 million (US$2.5 million) yearly.
The Cross-border Environmental Program report presented last month
found a charcoal-marketing network concentrated in 19 villages of the
region. “All production is finally gathered in Tierra Nueva, Boca de
Cachón and Puerto Escondido from where it takes the trails and routes
towards Haiti, crossing mainly through lake Azuéi.”
It details a simple yet effective chain to make, traffic and illegally
market charcoal in Haiti and notes that the 200 producers are mostly
of Haitian origin, helped by 12 Dominican truck drivers, to produce
every month around 37,000 sacks, sold to less than five Haitian
retailers, who gather on the west side of the lake, for subsequent
transport and sale in Port au Prince.
Environmental cost
“This production equals 445,788 sacks annually (27,300 tons) which is
sold at RD$200 (US$5.55) per sack, generating an annual market of RD
$89.2 million, US$2.5 million).” the study headed by the consultant
Humberto Checo said.
“This opportunity to generate income, nestled in a captive market, has
caused a severe deterioration to the base of the natural resources
along the entire border region, where an important process of blight,
severe biodiversity losses, poverty and corruption is also evident,”
it adds.