What heritage status is Penang seeking for its gardens?

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Penang Seeks Heritage Status for Botanic Gardens Through International Collaboration

Penang is actively pursuing heritage site status for its Botanic Gardens, a move supported by collaborations with international institutions. The state aims to enhance preservation efforts and expertise through agreements with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and is exploring training opportunities with Kew Gardens. These initiatives are underpinned by the Penang State Park (Botanic) Corporation Enactment 2017, which provides a legal framework for the garden's preservation towards heritage listing.
Collaboration with Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Penang is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. This agreement is intended to facilitate the preservation and improvement of the Penang Botanic Gardens, building on previous international partnerships. This collaboration is a significant step towards achieving the state's objective of having the gardens recognised as a heritage site.
Heritage Listing Framework

The state government has enacted the Penang State Park (Botanic) Corporation Enactment 2017. This legislation was introduced specifically to address methods for preserving the gardens, with the ultimate goal of enabling their listing as a heritage botanical garden. The ongoing international collaborations are designed to complement the objectives outlined in this enactment.
Previous Accord with Singapore Botanic Gardens

Earlier in the year, Penang established a similar MOU with the Singapore Botanic Gardens. This partnership focuses on the exchange of technological knowledge in areas such as horticulture, garden management, conservation, and research. Such agreements are crucial for sharing best practices and advancing the capabilities in managing and preserving the Penang Botanic Gardens.
Exploring Training with Kew Gardens

Beyond preservation, Penang is also seeking a distinct form of collaboration with Kew Gardens in London. The state has requested Kew Gardens to provide training for Malaysian horticulturists, ideally in Penang, or at the extensive specimen site in Kepong. This initiative aims to address the high turnover rate of workers and the shortage of experts at the local botanic gardens by developing a pipeline of qualified professionals. Kew Gardens has also indicated a willingness in principle to offer scholarships for Malaysians to study horticulture and botany, providing them with internationally recognised qualifications.

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What heritage status is Penang seeking for its gardens?

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