However, it takes (big) effort to maintain them (the gardens), thus we cannot overlook the economic (financial) aspect.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has recommended that botanical gardens be developed as new centers of economic growth by establishing science and small and medium enterprise (SME) development centers at conservation sites.

The attempt is aimed at strengthening the role and improving the benefits of the sites, head of BRIN, Laksana Tri Handoko, said during a meeting of the managers of botanical gardens in Indonesia here on Wednesday.

"The main function (of botanical gardens) is carrying out the ex situ (off-site) conservation of the endemic plants. However, it takes (big) effort to maintain them (the gardens), thus we cannot overlook the economic (financial) aspect," he remarked.

Furthermore, he said he expects that the regional botanical gardens will also become science and technology areas (KST).

The government is drafting a regulation in lieu of Presidential Regulation Number 93 of 2011 concerning botanical gardens to accommodate current needs and dynamics in managing off-site conservation areas.

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Through the changes in the regulation, the management of the botanical gardens will be supervised by the Regional Research and Innovation Agency (BRIDA) to maintain their function as centers for plant conservation, while also becoming sources of Regional Original Revenue (PAD), the BRIN head explained.

The future challenge to managing Indonesia’s large biodiversity is strengthening its sustainable benefits through research and innovation efforts to realize the implementation of the green economy, he said.

Meanwhile, director for research and innovation partnerships at BRIN, R. Hendrian, said that the implementation of the meeting aimed to boost coordination and communication of the botanical garden network, share information and exchange ideas, as well as find solutions to problems related to botanical garden management.

To date, there are 47 botanical gardens in Indonesia, and five of them are managed by BRIN.

The conservation sites represent 18 types of ecoregions found in 21 provinces throughout Indonesia. Hence, each botanical garden has a specific theme depending on the local biodiversity characteristics or advantages.

The meeting of the managers of botanical gardens in Indonesia has been conducted virtually since 2019, Hendrian informed.

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Translator: Devi Ramadhan, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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