Royal Botanical Park, Lamperi

Royal Botanical Park, Lamperi
Botanical garden within the park with chortens in the forfground on Dochula Pass
LocationThimphu, Punakha, Bhutan
Area47 km2 (18 sq mi)
Named forJigme Singye Wangchuck

The Royal Botanical Park, Lamperi is the first botanical park in Bhutan and forms the backdrop of the Dochula Pass. The park forms a biological corridor of 47 square miles (120 km2) between the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park and the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park and has a popular botanical garden within it which is spread over an area of 125 acres (51 ha). This is planted with 46 species of rhododendron of which 18 species are native to the park while the other 26 species are brought from other regions of Bhutan and planted here. These bloom during mid March to early August.[1] The botanical garden of the park has within its limits the 108 stupas (chortens) at the Dochula Pass (3100m).[2][3] The park was formally declared open in June 2008 to mark the anniversary of the Coronation of King Jigme Kesar Namgyel Wangchuk and centenary of Bhutan's monarchic rule. Mr. Phenden Gyamtsho is the Park Manager, heading a technical team of young, humble and hardworking staff. The park facility centre opens from 9am to 5pm in summer and from 9am to 4pm in winter. The park seriously embarks on waste management advocacy programs to educate the general public. Garbage IN and garbage OUT policy is being emphasised.[4]

  1. ^ "Lamperi, Bhutan Declared Royal Botanical Park". Botanical Park Conservation International. 23 November 2005. Archived from the original on 2015-11-17. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  2. ^ "Eco Adventures in the Royal Botanical Park" (pdf). Bhutan Lowcarbon organization. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  3. ^ "Introducing Thimphu to the Dochu La". Lonely Planet. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  4. ^ "First botanical park opens". Bhutan Observer. 24 October 2008. Archived from the original on 2015-11-17. Retrieved 19 October 2015.