SANTO DOMINGO.–The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, together with the Ministry of Tourism, the Dominican Hydroelectric Generation Company, the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources, the Dominican Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture, tour operators and ecotourism guides, established a working group with the purpose of regulating ecotourism activities on the Palomino Dam route or Río Blanco Canyon route, located in the province of San Juan de la Maguana.
The aim is to assess the viability of this route, which has become very popular in the last 5 years for people interested in domestic tourism, hiking and ecotourism, but which presents great challenges, since the road used by visitors was not built for such purposes.
The director of Protected Areas, Carolina Alba, who is part of the working group, stated that in addition to evaluating the viability of the current route, the ministry is developing regulations for the sustainable use of recreational activities at the dams, "so that the reservoirs and their surroundings continue to fulfill their primary purpose, which is to store and supply water for human consumption, electricity generation, irrigation, and, as a secondary benefit, can continue to be a source of development for the surrounding communities, primarily due to their scenic beauty and the nature that surrounds them."
Alba explained that most of the country's dams are located within the National System of Protected Areas and that regulating their use is what will guarantee their sustainability. "If we manage to implement this, the experience for visitors will be much more enriching and impactful, and for those who depend economically on these activities, the value of their offerings will increase," she stated.
Similarly, he announced that it was agreed to close the route for a period of one month, starting on Monday, August 18, 2025, in order to make a decision about its reorganization, and that both the tour organizers and the guides committed to not continuing to offer this route after its temporary closure.
“Our medium- and long-term goal is to develop an ecotourism package in that area that truly meets the criteria and standards, identifying a route that, while it may be longer, is safe for hikers. Furthermore, these visits should generate income for the local communities, representing an improvement in their quality of life. In turn, visitors should receive an interpretation of nature from the guides and be educated about environmental conservation. Perhaps one of the main challenges is maintaining low-density tourism, ensuring that groups are small,” he noted.
He also reported that the members of the working group agreed to visit the Palomino dam area, accompanied by guides and tour operators, so that everyone could learn about the reality of the place and identify the safety aspects, as well as the environmental, social and economic situation that must be considered to determine its viability.
