SANTO DOMINGO – In a significant move toward environmental stewardship, Dominican President Luis Abinader officially inaugurated the Management Committee for the San Juan de la Maguana Botanical Garden during a ceremony at the National Palace on Tuesday. This establishment represents a cornerstone in the government’s strategy to advance ecological preservation, scientific learning, and sustainable economic growth in the nation’s southern region.
The newly formed committee will be chaired by Tomás Alejo Concepción, Bishop of San Juan, and comprises a diverse coalition of stakeholders. Membership includes officials from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, local and municipal government representatives, national asset management professionals, academic institutions, cooperative organizations, and experts from botanical gardens across the Dominican Republic.
Bishop Concepción, addressing attendees, commended President Abinader for strengthening the academic, social, and economic infrastructure of the South. He characterized the botanical garden project as a transformative achievement that elevates San Juan de la Maguana to the status of the country’s third city to feature such a facility. The Bishop framed the initiative as a crucial act of recognition long deserved by the southern provinces.
The project’s foundation is solidified by Decree No. 38-26, enacted on January 23, 2026, which designates the garden’s creation as a matter of high public interest. This legislation empowers the committee to coordinate and supervise all implementation phases, guarantee operational transparency, and administer public funds within established oversight and accountability frameworks.
Key mandates for the committee include the development and approval of a preliminary Master Plan within a 90-day timeframe, facilitation of inter-institutional collaboration, and leadership in creating a sanctuary focused on protecting native and endemic flora, fostering scientific inquiry, and promoting environmental awareness.
With the committee’s swearing-in, the government has formally commenced the project’s planning stage, underscoring its dedication to environmental sustainability, the protection of natural resources, and securing an enhanced quality of life for future generations.