Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck inaugurated the Royal Botanical Park at Lamperi on the 22nd October 2008. The park is dedicated to the 100 years of glorious monarchy and the coronation of the 5th Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck unveiling the Plaque

Ministers, Members of Parliament, representatives from international organizations, donors and officials from the MoA and different agencies attended the inauguration ceremony.

 
Her Majesty with the distinguished guests

The park is situated at an altitude range of 2100 meters to 3800 meters. The park is located within the Sinchula-Dochula-Helela zone under the Thimphu and Punakha Dzongkhags. It covers an area of 47 square kilometers and serves as the biological corridor connecting Jigme Dorji and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Parks. The park is the watershed for Wangchu and Punatshangchu river systems, including the Simtokha rongchu and Teobe Rongchu.

 
Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck addressing the gathering

The park contains a rich biodiversity of high conservation value. It is a great learning destination for the students, researchers and nature lovers. The park features a variety of forest types: alpine, cool temperate broadleaf forest, old growth of broadleaf and conifer forests and so on. About 300 species of plants are found in the park including those species of plants and animals with conservation significance such as Himalayan yew (Taxus battaca), Panax pseudoginsend, Tetracentron sinensis, native Rhododendron, Royal Bengal Tiger, Red Panda, Musk Deer, Himalayan Monal and Blood pheasants. The park is also host to Tetracentron, an ancient relict angiosperm with no vessel in its trunk.

 
Mr. Raling Ngawang explaining on different flora in the park

One of the main attractions of the park is the rhododendron garden. Of the total 46 species of rhododendron grown in Bhutan, 40 species are now found in the rhododendron garden including 28 species already grown in the area. Different shades of rhododendrons start to bloom through mid-March until August changing the whole color of the landscape.

 
Her Majesty and the guests taking tour around the eco trail

The park has 14.5 km of trails for eco trek. The trail takes you through thick oak forest and mountain streams amidst the chirping of birds and the sound of leaves fluttering and falling in the gentle mountain breeze. It also offers secured eco-camp equipped with all the essentials for camping and a picnic spot with children’s playground. The visitors have to pay a reasonable entry fee. The fee collected will be used to continually upgrade and maintain the park for the convenience of all the visitors.

 
Her Majesty declaring open facilities in the park

 
The chief guest, Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck said that “Bhutan is gifted with great biodiversity with almost 50% of our land under protected areas. Her Majesty added that the King and the people’s commitment to conservation have been proven … Bhutan is looked upon as the conservation success”. Her Majesty said that being a great believer in conservation, she is satisfied with the addition of another unique jewel to the existing protected areas. Her Majesty commended and thanked everyone involved in the inception and realization of the park. Her Majesty expressed her appreciation to staff of the Department of Forests, particularly the staff of the Royal Botanical Park, for the successful establishment of the park.

 
Hon'ble Lyonpo Dr. Pema Gyamtso delivering welcome address

In his welcome address the Hon’ble Minister, Lyonpo Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, acknowledged the instrumental role played by Her Majesty the Queen, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck in taking forward the noble concept of GNH and environmental conservation propounded by His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. Lyonpo also highlighted Her Majesty’s involvement in the declaration of 9 % of the total land area as a biological corridor ‘A gift to the earth from the people of Bhutan’ in Nov, 2000 linking all protected areas and the establishment of Thrumshingla National Park.

 
Her Majesty briefed by the Program Director on tree species

Lyonpo, on behalf of the Ministry acknowledged the former Agriculture Minister, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup for his farsighted vision in conceptualization of the establishment of the park. Besides, Lyonpo also acknowledged the former Agriculture Secretary Dasho Sangay Thinley, former Director General of Department of Forest, Dasho Dawa Tshering, the people and community of Phenteykha village under Toeb geog for their role in establishing the park.

 
Mr. Karma Dukpa Director, DoF

The Director, DoF said that the park will serve as both the learning and recreational centre for the people from nearby Dzongkhags. The director also thanked the hard work and the support from the RBP staff for the successful completion of the park.

 
Guests enjoying at the children's park

Mr. Raling Ngawang, Chief Forestry Officer (CFO), Royal Botanical Park

According to the Mr. Raling Ngawang, CFO, RBP, the park is built at the cost of approximately Ngultrum twenty two million with funding from the World Wild Life Fund (WWF), Sustainable Development Secretariat (SDS) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) UNDP, Energy Cell, Druk Holding Investment (DHI), Tourism Council of Bhutan and the RGOB.

Visitor's Information Centre

For all the information about the park you can visit the visitor’s Information Center at the Park. The center is open from 8:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m seven days a week. The center also park information center, cafeteria and other amenities.

For further information about the Royal Botanical Park, you may contact Mr. Raling Nawang, Chief Forestry Officer, Royal Botanical Park, Department of Forest at tel no: 336293 fax no; 336292 and email: drukdra@yahoo.com

 
Children's Play Ground

Reported by: Singye Wangmo