One of the most popular sections of the Botanical Garden of Chisinau, the Lianarium, was restored after the April 2017 tempest and was inaugurated on October 31. The collection was supplemented with 215 sorts of ornamental and exotic lianas. The area that is 0.4 ha in size was restored as part of a €10 million project financed by the Austrian Development Agency, IPN reports.
There were installed metallic supports for plants and benches for visitors. The decorative architectural elements that were damaged were repaired and replaced with new ones. The plants were labelled and an informative poster with the map of the sector were places at the entrance to the Lianarium.
According to the director of the Botanical Garden Ion Roșca, the Lianarium’s collection is unique in Moldova. A young researcher will study the growth pace of the lianas so as to later set up new green areas in rural and urban areas. Asked if the Botanical Garden has a mechanism for protecting the given plants in the eventuality of a new natural disaster, Ion Roșca said the new frames are much more solid than the previous ones.
As to the rest of the territory of the Botanical Garden that was affected by the April snowfalls, the director said they are working to remove the consequences. Trees and bushes were purchased and are to be planted. A number of exhibitions will be restored and new ones will be created. The hothouses where rare plants are kept weren’t affected and are in a satisfactory state.
Austria’s Ambassador to Moldova Christine Freilinger said her country offered to support the restoration of the Lianarium as the conservation of biodiversity is very important and a huge potential in this regard was noticed at the Botanical Garden.
Head of the Austrian Development Agency’s Office in Chisinau Alexander Karner said that as backers of the project, they are satisfied with the achieved results. A nice thing was done and all the money was spent on purchasing everything that was needed for restoring the collection.
The Botanical Garden is open daily to visitors. In the cold period of the year, this works from 8am until 6pm. A ticket costs 10 lei for grownups and 5 lei for preschool children and pensioners.
