A new botanical garden – in South East Asia

Monday, July 8, 2019

On a visit to South East Asia recently I went to see a new botanical garden in Laos. Coming from Edinburgh where the Botanics are such a popular attraction it seemed like an interesting place to go. The garden, Pha Tad Ke, is the first ethnobotanical garden in the country, shining a spotlight on the local and traditional knowledge of the plants found there. It is setting an example of environmentally responsible tourism by preserving the local culture and environment, giving jobs to locals and providing them with a learning platform.

PHA TAD KE BOTANICAL GARDEN

Healthcare in Laos was in part historically based on medicine produced from plants, and the idea behind the garden is to preserve that knowledge and teach locals and visitors about them. Nature and these plants are important to the people of Laos, but the rapid development of the country threatens old knowledge, often handed down without record. The idea is that those working in the garden will document and research the biodiversity of Laos to preserve it for future generations. There are 42 Lao staff who now work at Pha Tad Ke.

The garden is located in South East Asia’s most biodiverse region near Luang Prabang in 14 hectares with a cliff which gives the garden its name soaring upwards just behind. From the top you can see across the Mekong and spy the odd boat plying up or down the river. You can buy tickets for the garden at the Reception Centre in Ban Wat That.

It is very remote, so remote that I felt very far from home – and certainly did not expect to find any local connection. There is strong international cooperation in the botanical field though, and I was delighted to discover that one of the strongest relationships is with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Read full article: www.theedinburghreporter.co.uk