©️Haiti Wonderland
Cayes, August 18, 2025.- Symbol of Haitian biodiversity, the Botanical Garden of Cayes, installed since 2003 on six tiles, is now threatened with disappearance. A land dispute between the Paloma family, agronomist William Cinéa, founder of the site and the Haitian state through the Ministry of Environment, led to the forced closure of the place. Rare and endemic plants are already at risk of disappearing under the work undertaken by the heirs of the land.
An ecological heritage at risk
Created in 2003 by agronomist William Cinéa, the Botanical Garden of Cayes quickly became a living laboratory of Haitian biodiversity. Thanks to a loan from the Banque Nationale de Crédit (BNC), Cinea had been able to rent the six tiles that now house an exceptional wealth of local and exotic plants. This project, unique in Haiti, has established itself as a scientific and educational reference.
In 2018, the Paloma family, owner of the land, had proposed the sale of the plot. In the absence of resources, Cinea had turned to the Haitian state for financial support. A preliminary agreement was reportedly reached between the Ministry of the Environment and Bruno Paloma, heir to the estate, setting the sale price at US$150,000 per tile. But the case remained pending, with Bruno Paloma leaving the country for health reasons.
From hope to confrontation
Following Bruno Paloma's departure, his wife took over the management of family property and categorically opposed the sale. A judicial procedure was initiated, leading initially to the closure of the Garden, before the decision was revoked. Despite this, Ms. Paloma called the police to evict the site and seal the premises. Work under his authority has already destroyed several rare species, endangering endemic plants that grow only in Haiti.
Call for help from agronomist Cinéa
In the face of what he describes as an imminent ecological disaster, William Cinéa sounds the alarm.
It confirms that there is a risk of forever losing unique plant species. « The Botanical Garden is not only a scientific space, it is a national ecological heritage. », he said in an interview granted to Radio Magic 9 on 18 August.
A future suspended from a political decision
While Mrs Paloma is now considering launching constructions on the ground, the future of the Botanical Garden of Les Cayes remains more uncertain than ever. For Cinea, only a burst of authorities and civil society can still save this unique place, a veritable reservoir of Haitian biodiversity.
W.A.
