Botanical Garden approved EU funding23 February 2009
The popular Botanical Garden of Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) may be renewed with the help of nearly 400 million HUF within the framework of the New Hungary Development Plan. Prof. Dr Ferenc Hudecz Rector of the University and Dr Pál Steiner President of the Central Hungary Regional Development Council held a press conference on 19 February presenting the details of the development.
A one-off development of this magnitude has never before taken place in the history of the Botanical Garden declared a national natural heritage site since 1960.
There are currently 6000 species and varieties of plants for visitors to admire in the Botanical Garden. Beyond its rich collection of orchids, ferns and cactuses, there is also a 30.000 page collection of preserved plant specimens, a 20.000 page collection of fruit and seed specimens, as well as a library with volumes on botany written several hundreds of years ago in the Botanical Garden, in addition to the historical Palm House exhibiting unique citrus and tropical species.
The ex situ (outside the natural habitat) preservation of protected plant species and the development of its collection is one of the main tasks of the Botanical Garden. The Botanical Garden currently ensures the protection of 85 indigenous and 350 species imported from foreign climates, out of which the 14 are Hungarian species enjoying ex situ protection. The aim of the development is to ensure protection for 30 indigenous species in the Botanical Garden.
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The management of the University and the staff of the Botanical Garden aim to carry out the complete renewal and development of the Garden, as a result of which the Botanical Garden may evolve into one of the jewels of the University and the capital.
By implementing this development, the buildings housing the collections will be fully modernised, which will consequently also make it possible to develop these collections. .
The Collection House, Victoria House, Breeding House, Lemon House, Acclimatisation House, as well as most of the garden will be renewed with the help of the funding made available.
By implementing this project, the Botanical Garden will equally be able to satisfy Hungarian and international expectations, such as, the conservation of biological diversity, ensuring public access and increasing the number of species under special protection.