Palomino ecotourism route remains closed, according to the Ministry of Environment, due to serious erosion problems and risks detected by technicians linked to the area. The closure directly affects the Palomino dam area and limits the ecotourism activity planned in that natural environment.
Earthworks and access reorganization are underway while the Palomino ecotourism route remains blocked, following the evaluation of critical areas where erosion and landslides have endangered the integrity of visitors. Technicians and authorities maintain that uncontrolled runoff, coupled with the inappropriate use of trails, has created unstable areas, especially on the left abutment of the dam.
Emergency actions and environmental management
In a recent working group session, the Vice Ministry of Protected Areas presented a plan that includes training for local guides, trail recovery, camping areas, and the modernization of surveillance centers. All of this is integrated into the update of the management plan for the José del Carmen Ramírez National Park, a key space within the Palomino ecotourism route.
Community impact and risks for visitors
Alexander Lorenzo, head of Risk Management at EGEHID, emphasized that the risks on the Palomino ecotourism route are not minor: accelerated erosion and landslides can cause rockfalls, threatening the safety of anyone traveling through areas without corrective intervention.
“Any visitor traveling through these areas is at risk of injury if corrective measures are not applied,” Lorenzo stated during the technical meeting.
Pressure from human activities and environmental degradation
The prolonged closure of the Palomino ecotourism route also responds to the advance of slash-and-burn farming (conuquismo) and cattle ranching in protected areas. These activities, as analyzed by the panel of experts, worsen deforestation, erode the soil, and alter the water sources that supply the dam and the national park ecosystem.
- Deforestation due to agricultural expansion within the park
- Soil loss and threats to biodiversity
- Alteration of runoff affecting the Palomino ecotourism route
Background and prospects for the Palomino ecotourism route
Since its inauguration, the Palomino ecotourism route has been considered a model of sustainable tourism in the southern region of the Dominican Republic. However, the lack of effective control over human practices and infrastructure has led to progressive deterioration, forcing authorities to temporarily close access for the first time in its history. Experts consulted by national media warn that recovery will depend not only on environmental engineering works, but also on compliance with strict rules in the use of the park.
Next steps and safe reactivation
The reopening of the Palomino ecotourism route does not yet have a set date; authorities insist on prioritizing public safety and environmental protection. The recovery of trails and continuous training of guides will be key aspects in the future reactivation of the area, considered strategic for national ecological tourism.
The Palomino ecotourism route will remain closed until rehabilitation work is completed and conditions are safe for the community and visitors, reaffirming institutional commitment to the responsible development of ecotourism and the conservation of this emblematic Dominican destination.