The present study 'Diagnosis of Public Use' (DCUP) was carried out in June and July of 2004, within the framework of the preparation of the Management Plan for the Armando Bermúdez National Park, completing the information within the same participatory process that allowed the generation and validation of the Armando Bermúdez National Park Management Plan (PNAB).
The technical, administrative and operational staff of the Directorate of Protected Areas, technicians from PROCARYN and the team of GITEC-SERCITEC Consultants participated in its preparation.
We must clarify that the DCUP to present is a preliminary document based on the practical experience of the Administrator and Rangers of the PNAB and Technicians of the Directorate of Protected Areas, and must be completed with a monthly systematization framework that allows establishing the development of tourist use and management that owns the PNAB.
Managing to manage through the proposals of the Management Plan to a 'low impact' ecotourism for the Zones that are delimited as a Zone of Public Use and Administration (ZUPA)
Defining the adequate flow of visitors that a certain place can receive, especially in the areas of public use of a protected area, is a fundamental element, if you want to make nature tourism and the preservation of natural values compatible. This allows to respond to social, economic realities and to own demand of seasons or seasons of the year.
The mathematical models of load capacity calculations are not usually precise, since the characteristics, singularities and particularities of each zone, in some cases make it impractical. The Armando Bermúdez National Park, regarding tourism or ecotourism that takes place in it, distinguishes several aspects that are preferable to take into account when defining its carrying capacity, rather than the application of a mathematical model.
The carrying capacity is defined as the maximum flow of visitors that a given area can receive in a defined time and space, without it generating significant or no impact on the environment.
These complexities occur in the Armando Bermúdez National Park, therefore, we consider that its maximum limit of visitors is subject to the particularities that surround the entire visitation system of this PA, and not necessarily to a maximum number or limit of visitors, fixed or defined by a mathematical model.
Considering the above within the Technical Planning Team, it was decided to develop a simple process that would allow the consulting team to generate the technical criteria for developing concrete proposals to be considered in the Armando Bermúdez National Park Management Plan.
2. Objectives
Briefly present the proposals and recommendations developed during the analysis of the ecotourism development of the Armando Bermúdez National Park.
Generate the conceptual bases that allow the analysis of the Public Use capacity of the Armando Bermúdez National Park;
Generate technical criteria for the consulting team that allows the subsequent development of the PNAB's internal zoning proposal;
Establish general guidelines for tourist management within the Protected Area.
3. Referential framework of the Armando Bermúdez National Park
3.1 Location and access roads
3.1.1 Extension
The land belonging to the Armando Bermúdez National Park covers an area of approximately 766 km2. They were declared a protected area on February 19, 1965, through Law 4389.
3.1.2 Location
The Armando Bermúdez National Park is located on the northern slopes of the Cordillera Central. It comprises a vast extension that includes territories of the communities of Jarabacoa, San José de Las Matas and Santiago Rodríguez.
3.1.3 Access routes
In the La Ciénaga community (Jarabacoa Municipality, La Vega Province) is the local park administration office, where all the guidelines for visiting this protected area are received. The La Cienega community is reached, after traveling from Sto. Sunday the Duarte highway, go through Villa Altagracia, Bonao and La Vega, until you reach the intersection that leads to the mountain community of Jarabacoa. From this point, take a road that, after traveling 23 km, reaches the community of Manabao, and 15 km later to La Ciénaga.
Another access route is from Santiago to San José de Las Matas and from here to Mata Grande, where a surveillance office is located and procedures can be done to access the park. These two points are the most frequented by visitors and organizers of excursions to visit Pico Duarte.
Third route is the one that allows you to get to the PNAB from Difference, Manacla and La Leonor in the Santiago Rodríguez province.
3.2 Characteristics of the PNAB
3.2.1 Natural and cultural values
The Armando Bermúdez National Park combines a series of natural and cultural values of inestimable value to the Dominican Republic. Its mountainous system protects numerous headwaters or the source of rivers and streams of transcendental importance for the agricultural and energy production of the nation, as well as being a climate regulator, as an air-generating lung and a healthy environment for the island.
Its vegetation cover, composed of the endemic species Pinus occidentalis, constitutes a compact forest mass of extraordinary ecological value, for the balance and environmental stability of the island. Its mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests are diverse propitious environments to serve as habitats for numerous fauna species, mainly birds.
It has the most beautiful landscapes in its extensive savannas, bordered by mountains, where the stillness, calls or invites recreation, in places where the only noise comes from the birds, the whistling of the wind among the pines, or the fall of the water in a waterfall or the surface current of one of its many streams and rivers.
Another great attraction is its very low temperatures almost all year round, which reaches extreme degrees in winter, freezing in some places, where it usually drops below 0ºC, creating a contrast to the visitor between the behavior of the temperature in the rest of the island, and the territory of the park.
The southern part of the Cordillera Central and Pico Duarte, the highest in the Antilles at 3,175 meters above sea level, share the José del Carmen Ramírez National Park with its counterpart, as well as other high altitude peaks, such as: La Pelona (3,097), La Rusilla (3,038) and Pico Yaque (2,760).
Considering the large flow of visitors that each year comes to the park to climb Pico Duarte, the Undersecretariat of State for Protected Areas and Biodiversity has built areas with camping and picnic facilities, in addition to signage, which facilitate travel and visitor's stay.
3.2.2 Climate
Temperature
It is one of the most unique aspects of the region where the park is located, characterized by low temperatures and high rainfall. The temperature is cool throughout the year, varying between 12ºC to 21ºC, in normal times, producing decreases ranging from 0ºC to occasions of 8ºC below zero. During the winter, at sunrise, the frosts usually cover the soils of the ground and rivers and streams can have their water courses frozen. The lowest temperature levels are recorded in the Valle del Tetero, Bao and Macutico sectors.
Pluviometry
In the Armando Bermúdez National Park, high levels of precipitation occur. There are records of rain fall, ranging from 1,000 to 3,500 mm annually, with places where precipitation reaches 4,000 mm / year.
Hydrography
Along with the José del Carmen Ramírez National Park, the PNAB comprises around 12 main rivers in the country, including Yaque del Norte, Jagua, Bao, Amina, Guayubín, Mao and Cenovi, thus contributing to the maintenance of agricultural productive activities and industrial downstream and also being the support of hydroelectric power generation for a good part of the country.
It is estimated that the Armando Bermúdez National Park - together with the José del Carmen Ramírez National Park - contributes to the irrigation of some 100,200 tasks, located in the basins of the Yaque del Norte and Sur rivers.
3.2.3 Vegetation
It is basically made up of the Pinus occidentalis species, endemic to the island, which occupies the highest floors of the mountain range. In the lower areas, however, there are forests of broad-leaved plants and in another case the conifers (pines) are mixed with broadleaved plants (broad leaves), giving way to the so-called mixed forest.
Within the Armando Bermúdez National Park four forest floors can be distinguished:
Maximum height floor with the following predominant species:
Almond (Prunus occidentalis)
Creole Pine (Pinus occidentalis).
Upper floor in which species such as:
Yagrumo (Cecropia aps)
Cedar (Cedrela odorata)
Walnut (Juglans jamaicensis)
Manacla (Prestoea montana)
Oxtail (Tropis racemosa)
Penda (Citharephylum fruticosum)
Cape (Petitia domingensis)
On the intermediate floor there are many:
Copey (Clusia rosea)
Tit pinto (Zantophylum spinifex)
Gri-gri (Bucida bucera)
Bitter stick (Trichillia pallida)
On the ground floor, the following predominate:
Guayugo (Piper adumcum)
Olive (Prunus myrtifolia)
3.2.4 Fauna
The good state of conservation in which the forest of this park is located, makes it favorable in the same way that the fauna's habitats are free of affectations and in turn that the species can develop without major inconveniences. Of the fauna of the park, the avifauna is the best represented, the most common being:
Parrot (Amazona ventralis)
Woodpecker (Melanerpes striatus)
Raven (Corvius leucognaphalus)
Cigua palm (Dulus dominicus) national bird
Parrot (Tennotrogon roseigaster)
Partridge (Geotrygon montana)
Guaraguao (Buteo jamaicensis)
Turtledove (Zenaida maeroura)
Among the mammals, the most common are: Cimarrón Pig (Sus scropha) and Jutía (Plagiodontia aedium).
3.3 Public use
3.3.1 General modalities
The Armando Bermúdez National Park constitutes a highly attractive national park for public use. Every year hundreds of national and foreign tourists come to it, with the intention of climbing to Pico Duarte, some on the route from the Cienaga de Manabao, others on the Mata Grande. It is the part of the Cordillera Central that has been best equipped with facilities for the public and visitors (see Annex 2).
The visit can be done on your own, or by enrolling through some tour operators that organize visits to Pico Duarte, on both routes. If you do not have your own transport, however, there are public transport services to Jarabacoa and San José de Las Matas. From Jarabacoa to Manabao and La Ciénaga there is transportation, a little more uncomfortable, which is part of the ecotourism adventure.
When the visit is made on their own, individually or in a group, one or two guides, or pilots from the area, duly authorized by the Secretary of State for the Environment and Natural Resources, are required to accompany the group. This service is obtained with the help of the park's administrative staff, both in La Ciénaga and in Mata Grande, Jarabacoa and San José de las Matas, respectively.
Similarly, to transport luggage to people, mules must be hired, whose owners are residents of the area and whose arrangements are also made with the participation of the park administration.
During the route to Pico Duarte, both along the Mata Grande and La Ciénaga roads, there are areas for rest, picnics and overnight, as well as signs, the guide's orientation will be useful in this case, in addition to indicating the route correct to prevent one from getting lost.
The park is open to the public throughout the year, except when in times of drought the circumstances require freezing the entrance of visitors; to avoid forest fires. The most preferred times for the visit are: End of the year, with the entry of winter, the day of the birth of the patrician Juan Pablo Duarte, in whose honor the highest peak of the Antilles bears his name, and during Holy Week (see Appendix 1).
3.3.2 Visiting arrangements
It can be done locally at each of the points defined in the access, that is, from La Ciénaga de Manabao, Jarabacoa, Mata Grande, San José de Las Matas, or La Leonor, Santiago Rodríguez. The procedures can be done at the State Secretariat for Protected Areas and Biodiversity, or by contacting a tour operator (see annex 1).
Visitors to Pico Duarte and Armando Bermúdez National Park should wear clothing suitable for low-temperature conditions, strong pants and grip shoes.
For a visit to the Pico Duarte, various trainings and equipment are required, basic for a good stay, they should be guided by the operator, or by the Under-Secretary of State for Protected Areas and Biodiversity. As basic equipment it is recommended:
1) Backpack containing: Jeans pants (2), shirts (4), coat or jacket (1), hat for the cold, towel, toothpaste, soap, etc. Medicine if you have indications.
2) Mountain boots, with good grip.
3) Sleeping bags.
4) Campaign house.
5) Canteen.
6) Camera.
7) Focus.
8) Food for direct consumption.
9) Plastic covers to collect garbage.
Visiting the park and Pico Duarte requires compliance with regulations, which will be indicated by the tour operator or park staff at each entry point. Among others, these are the most important (see Annex 1):
1) Do not litter anywhere in the park.
2) You must not carry a firearm.
3) Do not carry a radio or cassette player, there you will enjoy the natural environment, and get rid of the noise of the city. Hear the song of the birds.
4) It is prohibited to carry power plants.
5) It is prohibited to cut, tear, paint or scratch the vegetation or rock of the park.
6) Do not disturb the fauna, just observe it.
7) On your return, make sure the guide loads the garbage bags on the mules.
8) Bonfires should only be made in the places indicated by the park administration.
3.3.3 Routes
The Cienaga de Manabao, to leave Mata Grande, requires at least six (6) days, covering a route of about 67 kms.
The La Ciénaga Manabao route (round trip) for 47kms, requires at least three (3) days.
The Mata Grande - Pico Duarte route (round trip) 89kms, requires a minimum of six (6) days.
4. Methodology for determining Public Use Capacity
The Public Use Capacity Diagnosis is considered a study that generates technical criteria for the development of the Management Plan. Considering this purpose and the time and logistics limitations for the development of the DCUP, the methodology was simplified, making the most of existing secondary information such as meetings and workshops with the Directorate of Protected Areas and the Administrative and Operational staff of PNAB.
The methodological steps executed can be summarized as follows:
Step 1: Initial meetings with technicians and members of the planning and consulting team;
Step 2: Development of the Work Plan with PNAB and PROCARYN personnel;
Step 3: Collection and review of secondary information;
Step 4: Round of three participatory workshops with Park Rangers and Ecotourism Guides from Cienaga and San José de las Matas;
Step 5: Round of bilateral meetings with technicians from the Directorate of Protected Areas;
Step 6: Analysis interview with PNAB Administrator;
Step 7: Preparation of the document.
5. Presentation of PNAB results and tourism management proposals
5.1 Factors influencing the flow of visitors to the PNAB
The following reasons for the large flow of visitors to the PNAB were identified in the brainstorming dynamic:
Visits to Armando Bermúdez National Park are concentrated in one period, which is why many of the groups organize this day with long periods of anticipation, so subjecting it to a ceiling would be a frustration and a disincentive.
The groups of visitors are entering and leaving throughout the season, being only a few days of this, where there is greater concentration.
The park only has two entry points, one of them being the most frequented (La Cienaga), since it is the shortest route to the goal of the trip, Pico Duarte.
All the effort of the trip of each of the groups has a common destination: Arrive at Pico Duarte.
The high period of visitation is at the end of each year and the entry of the new one (end of November-December-January), part of February for the country date, stopping until the period of Easter). All this despite the fact that the park is open to the public all year round.
Associated with this flow of visitors that is concentrated in this period, are the community groups that provide their services as guides, mule renters, cooks, backpackers, inn rentals, parking rentals, food sales, etc.
These community groups adjacent to the park receive benefits of great significance for these towns. In 2002, community groups received RD $ 1,241,685 and in 2003 RD $ 1,215,550. If the flow is controlled from a mathematical model, these benefits would be cut off and affected by the community members that have received it for years (see Annex 3 and 4).
Over decades, tourism has undoubtedly generated a level of community identification regarding the value of the park, being its main defenders, and those who are on the front line, when fighting a forest fire. Many community members make plans in their family and personal lives at the expense of calculations of earnings derived from the high season of visiting the Pico Duarte. A mathematical model, applied to define the number of visitors per day and per year, would break that expectation.
The park management needs to take advantage of these groups of visitors, made up essentially of Dominicans, including groups of students, to multiply the knowledge of ecological value, including and the contribution to agricultural and energy production of the protected area for the country, and with it cement in the conscience of citizens the inescapable need to safeguard this ecosystem.
If the statistics of visit to the Pico Duarte are taken, it will be noted that the flow per year maintains a relatively similar level, so that the problem occurs in a high concentration, in a period of the year, but nevertheless, even in this one, the number of visitors behaves almost the same from one year to the next. Consequently, what is needed is to manage this flow with rigorous systems, rules and regulations that ensure the integrity of natural resources.
5.2 Proposals for regulatory actions
Based on the bilateral workshops and meetings (as well as previously existing regulations), some implementation lines are conceived within the Management Plan to adequately regulate and regulate the visitation to the PNAB:
In the heat of the analysis of the elements discussed above, by the technical team of the Undersecretariat of Protected Areas, a series of actions were defined, aimed at strengthening the regulations and standards that make it feasible or compatible to accommodate the groups that with In advance, they plan their trip, without restrictions, but ensuring the integrity of the natural values existing on public use routes.
It was established that the groups were not greater than fifty (50) people, and in the case of larger groups, that they were divided into two (2) and that they leave with intervals of 20, 30 minutes and up to one hour.
Various camping sites were defined, duly identified.
Specific places were defined where to provide firewood for the bonfires, establishing that it should never be green (firewood).
Greater responsibilities were established among the guides.
Groups moving at night, or in darkness, including dawn, were totally prohibited.
It was established as a mandatory prerogative, that each group, prior to departure, including the guides and the operator, receive an orientation talk about the regulations, behavior and regulations that each individual person must follow, and the group in general and possible sanctions by the park administration, in the event of a violation of the same.
An age limit for the visit was defined, a minimum of twelve (12) years, accepting a written authorization from guardians for minors of that rank.
Garbage management, within this control plan, regulations and monitoring of the visit to Pico Duarte, in high season, received special attention with the following measures.
In charge, as a mandatory requirement, a guide for each group responsible for this topic.
Hiring of exclusive mules to return from the protected area, the garbage and deposit it in the corresponding place in Jarabacoa. In the case of the groups that arrive in the area in vehicles (cars, buses, trucks, jeepets, etc.) take it to Jarabacoa in these.
Delivery of plastic covers for the collection and subsequent transport of garbage outside the protected area.
Surveillance system in places determined by our staff, to warn, detect and apply sanctions in case of violation of regulations.
Establishment of a time limit in the camping areas for activities that generate hubbub or noise that disturb the rest of the visitors.
Implementation of a control sheet, for checking purposes, at different points to monitor the removal of garbage from the park.
It was opened to the public in the Valle de Lilís, a welcoming, spacious and modern center to facilitate visitors staying overnight, with kitchen and toilet facilities.
It was strictly prohibited to carry firearms and alcoholic beverages, as well as live animals to be slaughtered in the area.
Spaces were defined where people could smoke.
The guides received training and workshops and meetings were held in which, prior to the season, the basic components of the control plan, regulation, regulations and monitoring of the high season of visitation to Pico Duarte were reiterated.
5.3 Requirements for the development of the PNAB regulatory framework for visitation
For the success of the proposed regulations, it is necessary that both the Directorate of Protected Areas and the National Park Administration contemplate the following requirements:
Systematization through a Management Plan or an Ecotourism Management Plan.
Improving the organization and service quality of the guides.
Involving the operators or organizers of the trip in the process.
Applying the sanctions without distinction.
Improving the orientation and information part for each group, prior to the departure to the peak.
Improve the quality of services (toilets, roads, shelters, radio communication, visitor center and increase in staff in the high season).
Have the necessary resources, as well as logistics in the right time.
Construction of modern visitor centers in both La Ciénaga and Mata Grande
Route signage with interpretive panels that highlight the following elements:
Regulations.
Biodiversity.
Water resources.
Geology.
Cultural values.
Others.
Build a reception center for visitors to spend the night in the La Hamaca sector.
Shelters or kiosks that exist, are improved, or are built new, along both routes, must have panels on the regulations.
The printed material for sale, or whose cost can be included in the price of the ballot, must be oriented towards the following topics:
Flora guide.
Wildlife guide.
Brochure with information on the value of the water resource.
Rivers and streams that are born in the park; contributions they make to agriculture and the country's energy system, agricultural regions that benefit from the water system.
Produce a CD Room of the park, detailing all its attractions, resources, areas for public use, services and facilities, trails or trails or routes to Pico Duarte.
Mechanisms must be created to encourage the use of the route: San Juanh-Sabaneta, Los Fríos, Los Rodríguez-Pico Duarte, from the José del Carmen Ramírez National Park, to decrease the flow of visitors through Bermúdez.
For this, incentives such as:
- Lower entrance fees, lower fees for saddle and pack mules, vouchers for T-shirts, hats, travel to other protected areas for free, books, coats, hiking boots, etc.
Given that in a good part of the year, the flow of visitors is low and scarce, it is necessary to create mechanisms that improve it, which could be:
Summer trip with students, with incentives such as complement of notes on natural resources, in combination with schools and colleges.
Retreat and reflection season between religious congregations.
Promote between public and private companies, visits in low visitation season.
At that time, promote visits between NGOs, ecological societies and other environmental groups.
5.4 Important elements for the PNAB Management Plan
Engineer Jose Manuel Mateo Feliz, Head of the Management Department, proposes and validates the following elements that the PNAB Management Plan must contain, to motivate the success of the visitation directed within the Protected Area.
This protected area has in its interior numerous areas with attractions, scenic beauty and favorable landscapes for nature tourism. In the last twenty (20) years a flow of visitors that is concentrated in the final season and the beginning of each year and for the Easter season have made the Armando Bermúdez National Park and more specifically the Pico Duarte, its main destination recreational, recreational, educational and interpretive.
During this time, excursions to Pico Duarte have caused various distortions related to the production of damages, in aspects such as:
Garbage management.
Organization of the guides.
Number of visitors per group.
Number of mules for excursions.
Consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Camping area.
Use of firewood.
Transport of live animals to be slaughtered for consumption by visitors.
Load and carry firearms.
Among other.
As a consequence of this reality, starting in 2002, but with greater emphasis in 2003, a series of actions were defined to better organize and plan, everything related to public use and visitation to Pico Duarte, resulting in a series of activities that should serve as a frame of reference for the preparation of the park management plan.
5.4.1 Objectives of Public Use
Facilitate recreation, interpretation and environmental education among visitors, nationals and foreigners, starting from the scenic beauty of the park.
Create awareness among potential visitors about the natural and cultural values of the protected area, highlighting its importance.
Highlight the value of the park as a productive source of water and its contribution to agricultural and energy production activity in the lower area.
Promote the involvement of community members in tasks related to public use, in turn promoting collateral benefits in their favor and thereby reduce pressure on the use and exploitation of park resources.
5.4.2 Sectors and attractions of visitation
The areas for public use and the destination points to Pico Duarte are essentially two (see Annex 5):
Mata Grande, and
The Manabao Swamp.
The route La Cienaga-Pico Duarte, covers a route of twenty-three (23) kilometers, and has the following points or stops:
La Ciénaga 1100 masl.
Los Tablones 1270 "
The parrot
La Laguna 1980 "
El Cruce 2180 “
Agüita Fría 2650 "
Compartment 2450 "
Lilís Valley 2950 "
Pico Duarte 3075 "
The Mata Grande-Pico Duarte route covers a route of forty-five (45) kilometers and has the following points or stops:
Mata Grande 850 masl.
Arroyo Antonsape Bueno 910 “
Arroyo Antonsape Malo 940 "
Refuge of Loma del Loro 1200 "
Ranch Crossing to the Middle 1340 "
Arroyo Las Lagunas 1000 "
Loma La Sabrosa 1280 "
Rancho Los Vaqueros 1530 “
Arroyo Malo 1250 "
The Rodeo 1470 "
La Guácara River 1140 "
Bao Pass 1270 "
Pico del Baito 1600 "
Paso del Baito 1420 "
Bao Valley 1800 "
The Hammock 2540 "
Pico La Pelona 3070 "
Lilis Vallecito 2930 "
Pico Duarte 3090 "
These routes have numerous attractions, typical of the mountain ecosystems that predominate in the Central Cordillera, namely:
Intramontane valleys.
Streams and rivers with crystal clear waters.
Trails and trails along coniferous forests, where the presence of the endemic species Western Pinus stands out.
Beautiful sunsets and sunrises.
Low temperatures throughout the year.
Bird presence.
Cultural, productive and social activities of the community adjacent to the AP.
Landscapes and scenarios of great scenic beauties.
5.4.3 Activities to develop
Walks on foot and on mules.
Taking photos.
Camping.
Picnic.
Rest, reflection in full contact with nature.
Campfires in groups in places defined for such purposes.
5.4.4 Current situation and proposed improvements to infrastructure for public use
On both routes, there are facilities and services for a better stay for visitors, but which, however, must be improved in one case and rebuilt again in other cases:
1) Signage: They need to be expanded and improved.
2) Roads, trails and trails: These must be rebuilt based on an engineering formula that has a long-lasting response that can weather the erosive effects of the rains that occur in the area.
3) Shelters and camping centers must be built in: Los Tablones, La Cotorra, Agüita Fría and La Compartición. These facilities must be open, with banks and toilets, and depending on the space, the shed must be 6 x 4 meters.
4) Shelters and camping centers must be built in: Loma de Loro, Rancho Los Vaqueros, La Guácara, Valle de Bao, La Hamaca.
5) Bonfire areas: Define the existing ones, identifying them and signaling them properly.
6) Sanitary Service: Improve the conditions of the existing ones and expand the number, as well as their quality.
7) Visitor Center: The existing infrastructures in La Ciénaga and Mata Grande must be removed and new ones built with the following characteristics:
Area for conferences and talks.
Exhibition room for interpretive panels on the park's resources.
Office for the administrator with its bathroom and private room.
Space for ten people and their double beds in separate rooms.
Warehouse area.
Open area for outdoor meetings.
Enough toilets to respond to high visitor crowds in the high season.
Kiosks, adjacent to the center for the sale of local crafts.
Benches and rest areas around the visitor center.
Three independent rooms with private toilets, for when special guests visit on a day or task of management, management and planning.
Open dining area with a large table for the visiting public.
Dining area for eight people for the administration of the park and the staff of the Secretariat and executive meetings that are presented.
Enabling space to open a tent.
6. Steps to follow
Following are recommendations and conclusions to be considered in the development of the Armando Bermúdez National Park Management Plan.
1) Train the personnel of the Armando Bermúdez National Park to develop a database that allows monitoring of national and international visitation and access routes;
2) Design a database that allows monitoring of national and international visitation and access routes;
3) Establish a Public Use Program within the Armando Bermúdez National Park Management Plan;
4) Establish an Environmental Education and Interpretation Subprogram within the PNAB Management Plan;
5) Strengthen the application of the rules and regulations established by the Directorate of Protected Areas;
6) Strengthen and train the Association of Ecotourism Guides of La Cienaga, Manabao and San José de Las Matas.
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