The gardens could also become eco-tourism attractions and are useful not only for Indonesia, but also to the world.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government, directed by Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 93/2011 on Botanical Garden, is promoting botanical gardens as a national priority, according to LIPI, the Indonesian Institute of Sciences.

The regulation issued by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on December 27, 2011 was proposed by LIPI, the public works ministry and the home ministry to protect the country`s native plants, LIPI Chairman Lukman Hakim said here on Thursday.

"Realizing the benefits of botanical gardens, LIPI continues providing input to the central government and establishing cooperation with the regional governments in preserving Indonesia`s plants," Hakim said.

Botanical gardens could also become a place of education for the younger generation to learn to love the environment and become educated about nature, he said.

The gardens could also become eco-tourism attractions and are useful not only for Indonesia, but also to the world, he added.

Indonesia currently has 23 botanical gardens, including those managed by LIPI and respective regional administrations.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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