DOE issues stop order on land clearing

The Department of the Environment (DOE) has issued a stop order on the land clearing a few miles south of San Pedro Town. Concerned residents reported the massive land clearance by a local developer, whereby hundreds of acres have been bulldozed, and native vegetation, including mangroves, destroyed and displacing wildlife. Environmental officers from DOE made an enforcement check at the site, and afterwards issued a cessation order and enforcement warning against the developer. The clearing has since come to a halt.

Residents applauded the attention given by DOE's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Percival Cho. According to them, he was very instrumental in getting the inspection made in time before more land was cleared. As such, the DOE also thanked the island residents who reported the incident. "The assistance of the general public in the protection of the environment is indeed invaluable," expressed Dr. Cho via an email.

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