Expert calls for better Bogor town planning<\/p>\n
BOGOR, West Java (JP): Director of the Botanical Gardens,
\nSuhirman, has called for better town planning with more emphasis
\non the Botanical Gardens as a scientific domain with historical
\nvalue.<\/p>\n
He said Saturday that the development of Bogor should support
\nthe gardens' existence. The gardens should be taken into account
\nin the master planning of the town, he said.<\/p>\n
\"But what is happening is the opposite. They are trying to
\nadjust the Botanical Gardens to the development of the town,\"
\nSuhirman told The Jakarta Post after launching the Botanical
\nGardens Clean Campaign.<\/p>\n
The campaign, held in coordination with the Bogor Rotary Club
\nand Friends of the Indonesian Botanical Gardens, was launched at
\nthe Botanical Gardens in conjunction with its 179th anniversary.<\/p>\n
Suhirman said that the Bogor administration is considering
\nmoving the main gate of the 87-hectare Botanical Gardens to the
\nother side of the gardens to ease traffic. Opposing the idea, he
\nsaid that moving the gate would not solve the problem.<\/p>\n
\"What we need is a sound master plan,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"There should be open spaces surrounding the Botanical
\nGardens. But you see, they built the Internusa shopping center
\nand the Bogor market...,\" he added.<\/p>\n
The shopping center and the market, which are located opposite
\nthe gardens, are apparently the main sources of traffic
\ncongestion in the area.<\/p>\n
The Bogor Botanic Gardens is home to about 4,500 species of
\nflora. More than 100 of the plants are over 100 years old,
\naccording to the gardens' chief of science department, Sukendar.<\/p>\n
About 1.5 million people visit the gardens every year,
\nSuhirman said. However, most people are unaware that the
\nBotanical Gardens is a scientific center with historical value,
\nhe added.<\/p>\n
The Botanical Gardens was established on May 18, 1817, by
\nGerman botanist C.G.C. Reinwardt for scientific purpose.<\/p>\n
\"The place is more than a garden. If we compared it with the
\nMekar Sari fruit garden (in Cileungsi, West Java), I should say
\nthat both of them are wonderful. But the Botanical Gardens has
\nmore historical value,\" Suhirman said.<\/p>\n
Director of the institute, Soefjan Tsauri, said in a written
\nstatement that the fast population growth, development and the
\nfelling of forests pose big challenges to flora conservation.<\/p>\n
He encouraged Botanical Garden employees not to worry about
\nthe challenge but to see it as an opportunity to dedicate
\nthemselves more.<\/p>\n
The Botanical Gardens Clean Campaign was launched to educate
\nvisitors through songs and entertainment about environmental
\ncleanliness. On Saturday, a short play about Mr. Clean and Trash
\nWorm was performed. Entertainer Henny Purwonegoro and Bina
\nVokalia choir also presented a number of songs with an
\nenvironmental theme.<\/p>\n
New trash bins were also installed in the Botanical Gardens.<\/p>\n
Mr. Clean and Trash Worm, as well as the theme song Tong
\nSampah (Rubbish Bin), were created exclusively for the campaign.
\nMr. Clean and Trash Worm will be at the gardens among visitors
\nevery Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.<\/p>\n
The entrance fee to the gardens is Rp 1,000 (40 U.S. cents).<\/p>\n
Suhirman said that the management is planning to charge
\nforeign tourists more because they have a higher standard of
\nliving. (sim)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/expert-calls-for-better-bogor-town-planning-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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