The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has announced a new botanic training scheme at the National Botanic Garden in Godawari, Nepal. Announced during a royal visit by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the initiative marks a major step in strengthening international collaboration in botanic garden conservation across South Asia.
Funded by a generous donation of £27,500 from a Nepali benefactor with deep family ties to both Nepal and Scotland, the certified training programme will equip 16 horticulturists with essential conservation skills.
Designed by the Garden’s education team, the training scheme will advance local expertise in propagation techniques for rare and endangered plants, as well as botanic garden management and plant conservation.
With discussions already underway to expand similar programmes to India’s Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanic Garden in Kolkata, the scheme has the potential to serve as a model for conservation training across wider South Asia.
The new programme will build on the success of previous training, which has seen Nepal’s horticulturists achieve significant success including the successful propagation of rare tree ferns – a first for the region.
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has collaborated with Nepali botanists for over 25 years to document and preserve the country’s unique plant life. A significant portion of this work has contributed to the Flora of Nepal, a comprehensive resource for conservation and sustainability practices, which will support the new training initiative by empowering horticulturists to make informed decisions about plant biodiversity.
Dr Mark Watson, Head of the Garden’s South Asia work and editor of the Flora of Nepal said: “ We’ve worked closely with our Nepali colleagues over the years, sharing knowledge and resources in the name of plant conservation and crucial research. This training programme is a natural next step to enriching that relationship.
“By strengthening expertise in botanic garden conservation, we are not only supporting future generations of Nepal’s horticulturists but also helping to establish the country as a leader in plant conservation across the region.”
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s relationship with Nepal dates back to the early 19th century when Scottish botanist Francis Buchanan Hamilton first documented the region’s flora. More recently, in 2015, RBGE and the National Botanic Garden in Godawari partnered to celebrate the Britain-Nepal Bicentenary, leading to the creation of the Biodiversity Education Garden and fostering continued botanical collaboration.
The project has received support from the British Embassy in Nepal, reinforcing the organisation’s global conservation efforts as part of the UK’s well-established diplomatic and scientific engagement with Nepal.
Rob Fenn, His Majesty’s Ambassador to Nepal, said: “The enduring and historic partnership between RBGE and Nepal’s National Botanic Garden is a testament to a shared passion between Nepal and the UK for botanic conservation and cultural exchange.
“Investing in young talent through this new training programme only strengthens this bond further and empowers the next generation of Nepali horticulturists to safeguard their nations rich biodiversity – an effort now witnessed and celebrated by Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess.”
As one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, Nepal’s biodiversity faces habitat loss, shifting plant zones and increasing invasive species. By enhancing horticultural expertise, the initiative will help preserve rare and endangered plants while supporting climate resilience.
The training is just one of the many ways the organisation continues to fulfil its global responsibility to share expertise and support conservation worldwide.
For more information on the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s conservation work, visit www.rbge.org.uk/science-and-conservation/conservation.
