Article Resource - Dominican Today 

Santo Domingo.- Miches, an unspoilt area of remarkable natural beauty in the eastern province of El Seibo, will be the scene of a major sustainable development project, benefiting the area's 20,000 residents and the fragile natural environment. This project is part of the Dominican government's commitment to meet the United Nations Millenium Development Goals.

The initiative was launched in Punta Cana on Friday, and is managed by a group of government entities including the Presidential Commission for Millennium Goals and Sustainable Development, the Economy, Planning and Development Ministry, the Environment Ministry, the Ministry of Education, the Municipality of Miches and the First Lady's Office.

The Miches sustainable development project encompasses a wide range of environmental and community projects, including reforestation, cleaning polluted water sources, and a micro-hydro project for electricity generation using existing natural resources and without altering the environment. The municipality, one of the country's poorest, will also benefit from social development, including improvements to its schools and health facilities.

The project is also focused on ensuring that any future tourist exploitation in the area is sustainable, environmentally sensitive and of benefit to the local population.

Technical advisers from New York's Columbia University are working with the Dominican authorities on the planning and execution of this groundbreaking initiative.