In Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has announced notable progress in the multi-stakeholder protection and restoration of the Yaque del Norte River basin, one of the country’s most critical hydrological systems. The initiative, led by Environment Minister Paíno Henríquez, is a core component of a sweeping national plan designed to shore up long-term water security across the Dominican Republic’s most important river basins, which also include the Haina and Nizao watersheds.
Officials emphasize that the Yaque del Norte basin fulfills irreplaceable roles for the nation, supplying drinking water to millions of residents, supporting large-scale agricultural production, providing input for hydroelectric power generation, and sustaining a wide range of unique native biodiversity. To advance restoration goals, the Ministry of Environment is coordinating implementation of targeted projects across multiple priority areas: reforestation of degraded riparian zones, soil conservation to reduce sediment runoff, comprehensive watershed restoration work, and integrated cross-sector water resource management.
Partners in these efforts include the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI), local municipal governments, agricultural producers, grassroots community organizations, and international environmental and development partners. Beyond on-the-ground restoration work, authorities have also strengthened regulatory oversight, conducting mandatory technical environmental reviews for all proposed projects that could impact rivers and other surface water bodies. This step ensures that all development activities adhere strictly to national environmental regulations while still supporting balanced, sustainable economic growth across the region.
One of the most high-profile undertakings in this national strategy is the Watersheds and Climate-Resilient Communities (CReW-RD) project, a $90 million initiative funded by the Green Climate Fund. The program focuses on restoring ecologically critical hydrological ecosystems, boosting local communities’ ability to withstand the impacts of climate change, and scaling up nature-based solutions to water and climate challenges. The Yaque del Norte River basin has been designated as one of the primary intervention zones for the large-scale program.
Ministry leadership reaffirmed that strategic investment in the protection of the Dominican Republic’s watersheds is a foundational requirement to guarantee stable long-term water supplies, reduce land degradation and erosion, restore damaged native ecosystems, and lay the groundwork for inclusive, sustainable economic development across the country for decades to come.