Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, or PUPR, completed renovation of the Bogor Botanical Garden's Orchid Park to support conservation and preservation of orchid plant species outside their natural habitat, or ex situ.
"The Orchid Park at the Bogor Botanical Garden will certainly add to the existing facilities properly. It is also expected to increase the plant collection as part of our rich biodiversity," PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono noted in a statement here on Monday.
The park aids in adding to the aesthetic appeal of the Bogor Botanical Garden and contributes to the conservation of water and soil in addition to improving the air quality in urban areas, he remarked.
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It includes a main greenhouse spanning an area of 6,813 square meters and a tissue culture laboratory measuring 1,560 square meters.
The renovation work began on Dec 18, 2019. Developer PT Kemang Bangun Persada conducted the building rearrangement work at a contract value of Rp35.9 billion. Construction management was conducted by PT Elsadai Servo Cons - PT Bintang Perkasa Sejati (KSO), while the planners were PT Saranabudi Prakarsaripta - PT Wahana Reka Tekindo.
Development of the Orchid Park aligns with the botanical garden's five functions of conservation, research, education, tourism, and environmental services.
To support the preservation of biodiversity, the Ministry of PUPR, in collaboration with the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), is currently managing the botanical garden areas in several provinces in Indonesia.
The central and regional governments are currently rearranging 12 botanical gardens functioning as ex-situ plant conservation centers, respectively in Bogor, Cibinong, Cibodas, Purwodadi, Bali, Liwa in West Lampung, Balikpapan, Kuningan, Baturraden, Banua, Jompie Parepare, and Kendari.
Of the total, the PUPR Ministry has completed the renovation of four botanical gardens, specifically the Bogor Botanical Gardens, Cibinong, Eka Karya in Bali, and Baturraden in Banyumas, Central Java Province.
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