October 23: The new botanical park located at Lamperi, nine kilometers from Dochula towards Punakha on the Thimphu-Punakha highway will now provide as a retreat to the residents of Thimphu and nearby Dzongkhags.

The park was formally inaugurated by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck yesterday morning. It is dedicated to the centenary and coronation celebrations.

Cabinet Ministers, the Opposition Leader and representatives from international agencies were also present.

During the inauguration ceremony, Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck said Bhutan is gifted with great biodiversity with almost 50% of the land under protected areas.

The Agriculture Minister Lyonpo Dr. Pema Gyamtsho said botanical parks will help fulfill the government’s commitment towards conservation of biodiversity
He also thanked the former Agriculture Minister Sangay Ngedup for conceptualizing the park during his tenure.

The Royal botanical park spreads over 12, 000 acres of protected land.

It is also centered at the tri-junction of three mountain ridges -Sinchula, Helela and Dochula. The park features a rhododendron garden, a children’s play ground, an information center for visitors.

It also has a cafeteria, trails, a lake and fire camp place. Around 300 different plant species can also be found in the park.

The park was developed at an estimated cost of over 22 million ngultrums with financial support from the UN Development Program, Sustainable Development Secretariat, the World Wildlife Fund, Global Environment Facility and DHI.