Singapore proffers a bouquet
The Botanic Gardens have been nominated as a World Heritage Site
The singapore Botanic Gardens has submitted official documents in its bid to become the country’s first Unesco World Heritage Site.
Unesco, a United Nations agency, could decide on the nomination as early as June next year, officials at the Gardens, National Parks Board and National Heritage Board said in a joint statement.
World Heritage Sites are cultural or natural locales deemed to have “outstanding universal value”. There are 981 around the world. Those in Southeast Asia include Angkor in Cambodia, Malacca and George Town in Malaysia, and Ayutthaya, Sukhothai and Bang Chiang in Thailand.
Singapore’s nomination dossier has documents outlining the 155-year-old gardens’ historical, economic and socio-cultural importance and a proposal for site management, with a long-term commitment to protect them.
The 74-hectare park, which draws more than four million visitors a year, was instrumental in pioneering rubber cultivation techniques and orchid breeding.
Its botanical research and conservation have also put it on the international map.
The joint statement said more than 200 feedback comments were submitted during a four-month public consultation process. “Most participants contributed memories of the gardens or pledged support for the bid,” it said.
Gardens director Nigel Taylor said much thought and effort had gone into the bid over the last two years. “We are heartened that the gardens has an important place in the hearts of many Singaporeans.”
NHB chief executive Rosa Daniel said the submission marks a “significant milestone” in Singapore’s bid for its first Unesco World Heritage Site. “We greatly appreciate the feedback, memories and support,” she said. “They are testament to how Singaporeans are passionate enough about our heritage.”
