Botanical gardens are playing an essential role in helping Indonesia overcome biodiversity loss, acting deputy for research and innovation utilization at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) R. Hendrian has said.
“Progressive conservation activities carried out by botanical gardens are a solution for tackling biodiversity loss,” he said in a statement accessed by ANTARA on BRIN’s official website here on Saturday.
Indonesia is still experiencing biodiversity loss even though deforestation in the country has declined significantly compared to previous years, Hendrian noted.
According to him, the establishment of botanical gardens is very much in line with the green economy that is being promoted currently. Botanical gardens have a role not only in preserving plant diversity but also in encouraging research for the sustainable use of plant diversity.
“Attention to the aspect of utilization needs to be increased, especially to make a more significant contribution to national development,” he stressed.
As a government institution that provides substantive guidance to botanical gardens throughout Indonesia, BRIN has developed 45 botanical gardens, which are managed by the agency, local governments, and universities.
The management of botanical gardens is a long-term task, where the benefits cannot be felt instantly, Hendrian said.
For that reason, solid vision and commitment, consistency, and exceptional power from all stakeholders in the country are needed to maintain the sustainability of botanical garden management, he added.
“Long-term commitment is a non-negotiable prerequisite,” he stressed.
Source: Antara News