St.

Xavier's College
Maitighar, Kathmandu, Nepal

REPORT
ON

ROLE OF BOTANICAL GARDEN IN

CONSERVATION OF PLANTS IN NEPAL

Submitted To
Biology Department

Submitted by
Anusha Sherma Limbu
Grade XI 'A'
Roll no. 149

Submitted on: 30 Nov 2023

 APPROVAL PAGE

This is to certify that this project was written by Anusha Sherma

Limbu of Grade 11'A' with Roll no. 149 under the supervision of
Mr. Arbind Jha, Department of Biology, St. Xavier's College.

……………………………………

…………………………………….
Project Supervisor Date

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Head of Department Date

………………………………………… .…………………………………………
External Examiner Date
 ABSTRACT PAGE

There are mainly two types of conservation: In situ and Ex-situ

conservation. Between them, Ex-situ conservation is the most
important tool for plant preservation as several parks and
reserves usually cannot meet the minimum requirements to
carry in situ conservation, mainly due to the lack of resources
and the isolation effect. One of the examples of such ex-situ
conservation is the botanical garden. In Nepal, the most
popular and widely visited botanical garden is the National
Botanical Garden in Godawari, Lalitpur. Botanical gardens are
the institutions that maintain the living plant collections of
different kinds of plants, including ornamental and cultivated
ones, wild, medicinal, of economic importance, of various
geographical regions, of specific interest, etc. It is an
establishment where plants are grown for scientific study and
displayed to the public. The overall purpose of this study is to
discuss the role of botanical gardens in conservation of plants
in Nepal. The botanical garden plays a vital role in the
protection of various endangered plant species. They help in
spreading the awareness among the public to preserve and
conserve the plant species. Furthermore, the botanical gardens
are also the site for research and development. The plants are
properly conserved as well as preserved in the botanical
garden . They help to connect people with nature and
showcase the importance of the diverse plants
there.Nevertheless, there are still some gaps regarding the
proper management of the plant species including lack of
adequate manpower and negligence by the government
authority towards the botanical garden resulting in decline of
plant species. Thus, proper attention needs to be given.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT PAGE

I would like to express my special thanks to our teacher, Mr.

Arbind Jha and the subject coordinator of Biology, Mr. Brajesh
Shrestha, as well as our principal, Fr. Dr. Augustine Thomas
SJ, who gave us this golden opportunity to perform this
wonderful visit to the National Botanical Garden, Godawari,
Kathmandu and collect numerous information regarding the
role of botanical gardens in conservation of plants in Nepal.
From this report, I came to know various things regarding the
plant species.
Furthermore, I would also like to express my gratitude and
appreciation to my elders and friends who helped me in
finalising this report within the limited time.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND
1.2 OBJECTIVE
1.3 LIMITATION OF THE
STUDY
1.4 RATIONALE OF THE
STUDY
CHAPTER 2 METHODOLOGY
2.1 STUDY AREA
2.2 METHODS OF STUDY
2.3 MATERIALS USED IN
THE STUDY
2.4 SOURCE OF DATA
CHAPTER 3 RESULT
AND
FINDINGS
CHAPTER 4 DISCUSSION AND
CONCLUSION
4.1 RECOMMENDATION
4.2 REFERENCES
4.3 ANNEXES
THE ROLE OF BOTANICAL GARDEN IN
CONSERVATION OF PLANTS

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND

Botanical gardens are the institutions that maintain the living

plant collections of different kinds of plants, including
ornamental and cultivated ones, wild, medicinal, of economic
importance, of various geographical regions, of specific
interest, etc. Botanical gardens are dedicated to conservation,
education, research display and recreation. So far 11 botanical
gardens have been established in different ecological regions
of Nepal under Department of Plant Resources ( DPR) and
they are:

A. Brindaban Botanical Garden

B. Dewahariya Botanical Garden
C. Dhanoshadham
Botanical Garden
D. Dhakeri Botanical Garden
E. Dhitachaur Botanical Garden
F. Maipokhari Botanical Garden
G. Mountain Botanical Garden
H. Mulpani Botanical Garden
I. National Botanical Garden
J. Tistung Botanical Garden
K. World Peace Botanical Garden

From these 11 botanical gardens, we visited the National

Botanical Garden located in Godawari, Lalitpur for our research
and study.
The National Botanical Garden, then Royal Botanical Garden,
is the first and the largest botanical garden of Nepal
established in 1962 AD.

1.2 OBJECTIVES

The study on botanical garden and its significances were done

for following purposes:

● To know the role of botanical gardens in the conservation

of plants in Nepal.
● To learn about the methods how botanical gardens are
managed.
● To promote the development of gardens and landscape
gardening in Nepal.
● To share and exchange knowledge and experiences with
other botanical institutions.
1.3 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

Although we planned to visit and identify most of the plants in

the botanical garden, we lacked sufficient time for the detailed
study of them. And it was mostly kind of a rush for us to
complete the work and return. But, overall, we were able to fulfil
our objectives.

1.4 RATIONALE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of our overall objective was to fulfil our curriculum

objective and to explore the plant life through direct
observation. We were to collect information about the process
of conservation of medicinal plants, exotic plants, ornamental
plants, xerophytic plants, tropical plants and maintenance of
aquatic life in botanical gardens.

Chapter 2: METHODOLOGY

2.1 STUDY AREA

The study was done in the National Botanical Garden,

Godawari, Lalitpur. The National Botanical Garden is the oldest
and the largest botanical garden of Nepal which was
established on 28 October 1962 AD ( Kartik 12 1019 BS )
under the Department of Plant Resources ( DPR ), Ministry of
Forest and Environment, Government of Nepal ( GoN ). It
covers an area of 82 hectares with varying topography ( 1500m
to 2000m ). It is also an internationally recognised botanical
garden and a member of Botanic Gardens Conservation
International ( BGCI ) since 2015 AD. Road map:
2.2 METHODS OF STUDY

● Field Visit
● Photographs taken for study
● Get secondary data through online, library, journal.
● Direct observation
2.3 MATERIALS USED IN THE STUDY

● Camera
● Pen
● Notebook

2.4 SOURCE OF DATA

We collected the information regarding the National Botanical

Garden, Godawari, Lalitpur, from both primary and secondary
sources of data.
● Primary source: direct observation, field work,
questionnaire for the garden staff, teacher's guide.

● Secondary source: Botanical magazines, Internet, Library,

course books.
Chapter 3: RESULT AND FINDINGS

We have found that the Botanical garden conserve different

kinds of plants in the following ways:

I. Medicinal plants:

● They maintain seed banks that conserve the native and

threatened medicinal plant species of Nepal.
● They provide suitable environmental conditions like
temperature and sufficient water to increase the
population of medicinal plants.
● They provide separate conservatory areas for the
medicinal plants for maintenance.

II. Exotic plants:

● They provide topographical maintenance for survival of

these plants.
● They provide extra care and nutrients for their production
and continuation.
● Supervision is done to these plants time and again.

III. Ornamental plants( for both flowering and

non flowering ):

● They provide a sale house for the sale of various

ornamental plants to people.
 ● Appropriate arrangements like vertical gardens which
consist of various species of ornamental plants is not only
a special attraction site but also a conservation area.
● Museum is also present in many botanical garden which
help for education, awareness, research and display of
these plant species

IV. Xerophytic plants:

● They provide an adequate amount of water and the

required soil type for their proper growth.
● They help in temperature maintenance with help of
various green houses and topography variation for their
survival.
● They remove harmful non native plants from their habitats
and periodically supervise them.

V. Tropical plants:

● Temperature maintenance is done and adequate nutrients

are provided for their suitable growth.
● Separate garden helps in preservation of these plant
species.
● They preserve rare and threatened species of tropical
plants.

VI. Maintenance of aquatic life:

● They provide clean water sources and wetlands for the

development of aquatic life.
 ● They provide specific water depth suitable for most depth
sensitive aquatic plants to thrive.
● They connect different water resources to the botanical
garden.

Role of botanical garden in conservation of

IUCN threatened vulnerable endangered plants

Botanical garden plays a vital role in conservation of flora and

fauna, especially for IUCN red listed plant species conservation
by preparing optimum environment and care to nurture their
growth and continuation.

The status of IUCN red listed conserved plants of National

Botanical Garden, Godawari, Lalitpur :

● Extinct in the wild: Brugmansia suaveolens

● Critically endangered: Beaucarnea recurvata, Lathyrus
odoratus
● Endangered: Cofea arabica, Zamia furfuracea, Taxus
contorta, Ensete nepalense, etc.
● Vulnerable: Cycas pectinata, Saraca asoca, Taxus
mairei, Euphorbia Ammak, etc.
● Near Threatened: Dahlia imperialis, Nageia nagi, Aegle
marmelos, Dypsis lutescens, etc
● Least concern: Cycas revoluta, Juglans regia, Duranta
erecta, Hedera helix, Pyrus pashia, etc.
Role of botanical garden in recreational
activities

● Picnic areas
● Garden therapy for eyesight and mental stress
● Lakeside sitting
● Viewpoint areas
● Inspire poets and litrators by providing
aesthetical pleasure

Awareness related to conservation

Botanical gardens play an important role in raising awareness

about rare and endangered plants to its visitors and offer
community education regarding the conservation of these
plants.
S.N Nepali Scientific Life Uses Parts Protecte Endemic Threate CITES
name name form Used d / ned Appendi
Exotic category x
(I, II,..)

1 Rukh Cyathea Tree Economic, Leaf for Protecte Exotic Endang APPEN
Uneu gigantea fern medicinal, making d ered DIX II
ornamental handicra
,biofertilize ft,
r scales
from
fronds
are used
to arrest
haemorr
hage.

2 Thakal Cycas Shru Medicinal, Leaves Protecte Exotic Least APPEN

revoluta b ornamental are used d concern DIX II
Thunb. in
floricultu
re,
treatme
nt of
cancer,
hemato
ma.

3 Luinth Taxus Tree Medicinal Leaf Protecte Exotic Endang APPEN

contorta extracts d ered DIX II
for
cough,
fever,
Leaf or
bark
juice to
cure
cancer

4 Lauth Taxus Himal Medicinal Taxol of Protecte Endemic Endang APPEN

salla wallichian ayan leaves d ered DIX II
a Yew treat
cancer

5 Champ Magnolia Tree Medicinal, Making Protecte Endemic Endang APPEN

champac Economic, perfume d ered DIX II
a Aromatic ,
Treating
hyperten
sion,
cough

6 Sal Shorea Tree Economic, Fruit is Protecte Endemic Least APPEN

robusta Food, edible d concern DIX III
Medicinal Wood
for cons
truction,
leaves
treat
leprosy
Chapter 4: DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Botanical garden or Botanic garden is a garden with a

documented collection of living plants for the purpose of
scientific research, conservation, display, and education. At
present, establishment of a botanical garden is the best way of
preserving the flora of Nepal based on the result and findings.
Botanical gardens maintain seed banks that conserve the
native and threatened medicinal plant species of Nepal. They
provide separate conservatory areas for plants of different
species. Not only that, They preserve rare and threatened
species of various medicinal, ornamental, tropical and other
plants and also raise awareness in the visitors and locals
regarding the conservation methods and the present status of
flora in Nepal. The botanical gardens provide suitable
environmental conditions like temperature and sufficient water
to increase the population of the rare and endangered plants
especially IUCN red listed plants.They also provide clean water
sources and wetlands for the development of aquatic life. The
National Botanical Garden (NBG) has conserved Angiosperms
1039 species (1052 taxa), Gymnosperms 31 species (33 taxa),
Pteridophytes 109 species, Bryophytes 46 species, Algae 14
species till present. Thus, for conservation, taxonomic studies,
education, recreation and research, botanical gardens are
important.
4.1 RECOMMENDATION

● There should be more addition of diverse plants including

native and exotic species arranged in systematic manner.
● A specific planting area,where people can plant trees to
show support in environment conservation, should be
constructed.
● Filters should be added in the water resources to make it
easy to clean unwanted materials without affecting aquatic
life.
● More human manpower should be deployed in taking care
of plants for their conservation.

4.2 REFERENCES

● https://nbg.gov.np/
● Booklet of National Botanical Garden
● https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botanical_garden
● https://www.iucnredlist.org/
4.3 ANNEXES

Some photos of National Botanical Garden and their conserved

plants are: