The Jakarta Globe, May 20, 2013.
The Bogor Botanical Gardens will mark its 196th anniversary with a series of events that include an exhibition and the planting of a rare Amorphophallus Titanium plant seed, the event’s organizers said on Monday.
“In its almost two centuries … It cannot be denied that the Bogor Botanical Gardens not only became a reference for plant conservation, but also play a role in [driving] the economy and tourism,” a statement issued by the park said.
It said that the gardens, which are jointly operated with the Indonesian Institute for Sciences (LIPI), has become an indicator of success for plant conservation and the development of parks in Indonesia.
To mark its 196th anniversary on Tuesday, the gardens will hold a plant exhibition and plant a giant, insect-eating titan arum.
“To enhance public interest in conservation —especially amongst the youth — we are also holding a souvenir design competition for students of all ages,” Mustaid Siregar, the park’s head, said.
He noted that a total of 53 designs had been submitted by a total of 37 participants.
The exhibition, he said, will feature presentations on research, a plant market, a book bazaar, a talk show about herbal medicine and a workshop for schools and teachers.
“The younger generation must understand the values of harmonization and the consequences of environmental changes,” he said.
He said the exhibition will open at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
The 87-hectare park, which is home to some 15,000 plant species, was opened on May 18, 1817 by then-Dutch Governor General Godert Gerard Philip van der Capellen in a plot of land adjacent to the Bogor Summer Palace.
ma 20 mei 2013 - 21:45