National Botanical Garden of Seychelles

(Redirected from Victoria Botanical Gardens)

The National Botanical Garden of Seychelles (also known as Victoria Botanical Garden and Mont Fleuri Botanical Garden) in Mahé, Seychelles.

National Botanical Garden of Seychelles
Victoria Botanical Gardens or Mont Fleuri Botanical Gardens or Jardin Botanique
Main entrance to Seychelles National Botanical Gardens in Victoria, Seychelles (2019)
National Botanical Garden of Seychelles is located in Seychelles
National Botanical Garden of Seychelles
National Botanical Garden of Seychelles
TypeBotanical garden
LocationMont Fleuri, Mahé, Seychelles
Coordinates4°37′51″S 55°27′11″E / 4.630737°S 55.4529919°E / -4.630737; 55.4529919
Area15 acres
Opened1901 (1901)
Operated byMinistry of Agriculture, Climate Change & Environment
Visitors26,000 per year
StatusOpen year round
WebsiteOfficial website

History

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The garden was founded in 1901 by Mauritian agronomist Paul Evenor Rivalz Dupont,[1] who served as the Director of Agricultural Services and Naturalist of Seychelles, with the aim of creating an agricultural station.

As of March 2024 the botanical garden accommodate both departments of Seychelles' Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change & Environment: the Department of Climate Change & Energy, and the Department of Environment, which is also tasked with overseeing the management of the place.[2]

Research

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The main objective of the garden is to function as a central hub for the preservation and study of biodiversity, featuring an arboretum and modern facilities for micropropagation and tissue culture. With an accession number of 500 and a cultivation taxa number of 150, the garden hosts special collections including a Biodiversity Centre and historically significant plants collected by its founder. Notably, it cultivates over 60% of the Seychelles' endemic flowering plants from the granitic islands, with an additional 20% undergoing trials in the propagation house. Active monitoring and management of invasive species are conducted to safeguard the native flora. The garden implements comprehensive conservation programmes, including efforts to conserve medicinal plants, ex situ conservation, and reintroduction programmes for endangered species, contributing significantly to the protection and restoration of Seychelles' unique biodiversity.[3]

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References

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  1. ^ "Seychelles Botanical Gardens – A living green heritage". www.nation.sc (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  2. ^ Publications, Europa (2022-08-05). The International Directory of Government 2022. Taylor & Francis (published 2022). ISBN 978-1-000-80068-5.
  3. ^ "National Botanic Gardens Foundation, Institution Code: MAHE". Botanic Gardens Conservation International. Retrieved 2024-03-25.