Baku: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, along with First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and their family, attended the inauguration of the newly renovated Central Botanical Garden in Baku. The event marked the completion of extensive landscaping, renovation, and expansion efforts, APA reports. According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Eldar Azizov, Head of Baku City Executive Authority, provided detailed updates on the improvements made to the garden. President Ilham Aliyev has consistently prioritized the development of the Central Botanical Garden, with visits to inspect the work in July 2023 and June of this year. The garden's area has been expanded from 39 hectares to 45 hectares, featuring a new entrance complex, modern greenhouses, and a fountain. Rare ornamental trees, shrubs, and flowers from abroad have been planted, enhancing the garden's biodiversity. The site now includes a three-block greenhouse complex, a lake area, and an observation deck. A new four-story administrative building has been constructed, and an older crescent-shaped two-story building has been restored. A modern 650-meter pedestrian bridge with elevators has been added, along with two restaurants, a maze-shaped greenery area, a children's entertainment zone, and a parking lot. The historical design of the old entrance area has been preserved, and the garden's perimeter walls have been reconstructed. Pedestrian paths have been laid, and modern infrastructure, including lighting, benches, fire safety systems, video surveillance, and an upgraded irrigation system for 26 hectares of greenery, has been installed. The renovation of the Central Botanical Garden underscores Azerbaijan's commitment to preserving and utilizing plant biodiversity. Established in 1934, the garden plays a significant role in ecological conservation, scientific research, and education, housing collections of plants from various global climatic zones.