Nature in Dominica

Dominica covers about 754 square kilometres and has a maritime tropical climate. Its natural forest covers approximately 43,000 hectares, and the island has nine potentially active volcanoes. Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Cabrits National Park and Morne Diablotin National Park form the main national park system. Northern Forest Reserve covers 5,238 hectares and Central Forest Reserve covers 410 hectares. Morne Trois Pitons National Park covers approximately 6,857 to 6,872 hectares and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. It includes a 1,342-metre volcanic peak, five volcanoes, about 50 fumaroles, hot springs, three freshwater lakes and Boiling Lake. Morne Diablotin National Park covers about 3,409.5 hectares and protects the habitats of two Amazon parrot species and important watersheds. Cabrits National Park covers about 91.8 hectares and includes a marine section, while Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve covers about 6.5 square kilometres. Dominica lies within the Caribbean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot. The Sisserou Parrot, Amazona imperialis, occurs only in Dominica and is endangered. The Jaco, also called the Red-necked Amazon or Amazona arausiaca, is endemic to Dominica and vulnerable. The Forest Thrush, Cichlherminia herminieri, is another species requiring habitat and population monitoring. The Forest, Wildlife and Protected Areas Division of the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernization and Kalinago Upliftment manages forests, wildlife, protected areas, Crown Lands, the Waitukubuli National Trail and state eco-tourism sites. The Fisheries Division manages marine conservation, reef monitoring, marine environmental assessments, fishing registration and sustainable use under the Fisheries Act No. 11 of 1987. The Sperm Whale Reserve Act 2025 and the 2026 corridor and traffic regulations govern additional aspects of cetacean protection and whale-watching activities. The Forests Act 1958, the Forestry and Wildlife Act 1976 and its amendments, and the National Parks and Protected Areas Act 1975 with its regulations provide the main legal framework. Protected areas regulate or prohibit activities such as hunting, fishing, land clearing and the removal of forest products. The Forest, Wildlife and Protected Areas Division issues licences for timber cutting, hunting, fishing, forest produce and wildlife captivity. A removal permit can be required for timber, lumber, roundwood, cordwood, charcoal, larouman and other listed forest products. The rules can differ between private and state land. Relevant development may also require planning approval and an environmental impact assessment under the Physical Planning Act. The Waitukubuli National Trail spans about 114 miles from Scotts Head to Capuchin through the Cabrits area. Hiking, birdwatching, waterfalls, lakes, hot springs and marine activities provide access to nature. The published non-resident fee is US$5 for one visit to one site or US$12 for a seven-day pass with repeated access to state eco-tourism sites, excluding the Waitukubuli National Trail. A trail day pass applies to each trail segment, and children under four enter free. Passes are sold at visitor centres and selected vendors. Camping in parks or eco-tourism sites requires permission. Visitors should remain on designated trails, take waste away, avoid removing plants, animals, rocks or other natural materials, prevent water pollution, avoid introducing non-native species, keep a safe distance from wildlife and keep dogs on a leash. Nature also creates serious risks. Hurricanes and tropical storms, flash floods, landslides, earthquakes, volcanic activity, tsunamis, storm surges and drought can affect people, infrastructure and ecosystems. Steep terrain combined with intense rainfall increases landslide and flood exposure. Hurricane Maria in 2017 damaged or uprooted approximately 10% to 30% of forest trees. The Office of Disaster Management provides hazard mapping, warnings, evacuation information and preparedness education, while the Meteorological Service supplies weather and storm information. Forestry programmes support nurseries, reforestation, private forestry and agroforestry extension. Fisheries programmes include public education and consider traditional knowledge, local communities, Indigenous people and small-scale artisanal fishing. Environmental education is also provided through forest, wildlife and protected-area programmes, fisheries outreach and school and family preparedness activities. Conservation can conflict with agricultural encroachment, quarrying, timber and forest-product use, hydropower, infrastructure, tourism development, fishing and whale tourism. UNESCO has recorded quarrying, agricultural encroachment and existing hydropower rights as management concerns, while a proposed cable-car project was rejected. Protected-area coverage has expanded, but older and fragmented laws, limited monitoring, financing and staff capacity, and continuing biodiversity loss affect implementation.