Dominican Republic earmarks over half of Verón‑Punta Cana for special protection

The Dominican government has approved a new Territorial Planning Plan (POT) for the Verón‑Punta Cana district, placing about 55 % of the 484.44 km² area – roughly 265 km² – under a special protection regime. The plan aims to control rapid urban growth, preserve agricultural, forest, coastal‑marine, mining and other environmentally sensitive zones, while designating 30 % of the land as urban and 15 % as urbanisable for future expansion.

Population in the district has risen from 43,982 in 2010 to 138,919 in 2022, a 215 % increase, with projections of 241,767 residents by 2035. The POT identifies current conflicts such as illegal occupation of protected areas, settlements within mining concessions, construction on water‑recharge zones, and pressure on mangroves and wetlands. It also sets regulations on building density, height and land‑use across seven territorial units to ensure sustainable development.