VICTOR Cummings, the junior agriculture minister, has promised significant improvements to the Hope Gardens and Zoo in Kingston in time for next year’s Cricket World Cup.

“It is expected that there will be significant improvements to enhance the garden and zoo’s attractiveness to both tourists and locals in time for the upcoming World Cup cricket,” Cummings told the House of Representatives recently.

A business plan for the redevelopment, he said, has already been handed over by the management of the gardens, zoo and adjoining lands to the Nature Preservation Foundation, which has already started negotiations with several donors for funding.

Supreme Ventures Limited, the Jamaica National Foundation and Capital and Credit Merchant Bank have agreed to donate $10 million over the next three years towards the transformation of the venue, while the Digicel Foundation has donated $8.2 million to rehabilitate the fountain and gardens.

Hope Gardens will host cultural activities during Cricket World Cup and has been designated the official team Jamaica entertainment location and the cultural family centre for the 2007 tournament.

But, according to Cummings, this year the ministry would not be focusing on Hope Gardens alone.

He said that following the destruction of Castleton Garden by hurricanes Ivan, Dennis and Emily, the agriculture ministry has spent about $2.7 million on refurbishing the facility, with assistance from the Office of National Reconstruction (ONR).

He said that while the Cinchona Gardens was fairly well maintained, the access road was in an “extremely poor state” and was a deterrent to visitors. In addition, the buildings, including the great house, were all in need of repairs, and a project was being developed for extensive repairs and restoration of the great house and facilities.

He said that there was also a need to restore Bath Garden, which has “great historical significance, being the oldest garden which was established in 1774 and where the breadfruit tree and other fruit trees were first introduced to Jamaica by Captain Bligh”.

Cummings said, too, that work has commenced on Holland Bamboo, but there was still an urgent need to rehabilitate Fern Gully, where some 60 trees were destroyed by the hurricanes, causing excessive sunlight to penetrate.

“These gardens and scenic avenues are priceless resources and, despite the limitations over the years, the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands is proud to have been able to continue maintaining them at the present level where they are welcoming both local and foreign visitors,” the junior minister said.

Minister of Agriculture Roger Clarke recently tabled a bill in the House, titled the Public Gardens Regulations Act, which would provide for a public officer and other officers responsible for the proper administration and operation of public gardens.

The bill also has provisions for the protection and conservation of the gardens and for penalties under the Act, including for unauthorised destruction of trees and animals or reaping of crops and unlawful occupation.