The Uttarakhand Forest Department inaugurated the first Palmetum of the state on September 26, 2021. It has been developed in Haldwani area of Nainital district.
This Palmetum is the biggest one in North India, comprising of 110 species of palms.
It has been established in an area of three acres.
It was developed in over three years under the CAMPA scheme at a cost of16 lakh.
It was inaugurated by Prof Lalit Tiwari, a professor of Botany from Kumaon University.
This Palmetum was inaugurated with the aim promoting conservation & research and creating awareness regarding the importance and ecological role of various palm species.
Palmetum comprises of 4 critically endangered species of Palm, 2 endangered species, 2 vulnerable species and 6 near threatened species as per categorization. It also comprises of one threatened species, as per Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board. As per Indian Biodiversity Portal, one species is rare.