Optimizing Recreational Experience and Environmental Management in Botanical Gardens through Horticultural Enhancements: A Case Study Approach

The role of botanical gardens in the modern world is far beyond disseminating horticultural knowledge. Biodiversity conservation and environmental education are enriched with visitor enjoyment in world-renowned botanical gardens. In Sri Lanka, the botanical gardens are monitored by the Department of National Botanical Gardens (DNBG) with limited financial. Recreational desire fulfilment is questionable under the current situation, but society is urging this need fulfilment. The recorded number of foreign tourist arrivals highlights the severity of the problem. According to the DNBG 2022 data, Peradeniya-97,164, Hakgala-668, Gampaha-80, Mirijjawila-296, Seethawaka-114 were the recorded number of foreign tourist arrivals despite the country remarked over 719,978 tourist arrivals.
The Seethawaka wet Zone Botanical Garden (SWBG) highlighted as a conservative area for wet-zone flora and an herbarium within the closest proximity to grater Colombo area, the capital city of highest density. The researcher conducted the case study based on the SWBG, Avissawella Sri Lanka as a cross-sectional, quantitative study under a post-positivist approach to understand the destination values that are admired by the visitors to make revisits and provide recommendations. The data were collected from 357 respondents by staying at the vehicle parking area of the garden using random sample method and analyzed using quantitative techniques.
The operationalization was conducted to identify the behavioral dimensions, facets, or properties represented by the concept. These were then translated into observable and measurable elements to develop a measurement index for the concept. The pilot survey helped to remove repetitive variables. The influential pull factors were driven by main three variables according to empirical studies: Destination Attributes (Climate, Historical sights, Recreational facilities, Cultural Events) Accessibility (Safety, Security, Seasonality) and Marketed image (Built destination image, Quality of services, Quality of facilities). Socioeconomic and demographic factors have been measured separately using the following dimensions: age, gender, income, education, family life cycle and size, race/ethnic group, and occupation. The structured questionnaire was comprised of 28 five-point Likert scale questions. The random sample majority represented single (197) females (188) of youth (158) and adults (166) mostly having tertiary education level (190). Ethnically, the sample was majority Sinhalese (311) and engaged in the private sector (152) for occupation. The "Destination Attributes" (KMO = 0.829), "Accessibility" (KMO = 0.826), "Marketed Image" (KMO = 0.824), and "Garden Visitation" (KMO = 0.899) confirmed that variables were suitable for further analysis.
The quantitative data analysis revealed that botanical garden attributes and recreational activities should be enhanced according to climatic conditions. Additionally, robust security protection systems should be strengthened. Investment in marketing and infrastructure is key to success along with effective management that derives sustainable environmental management. The study suggests conducting longitudinal studies to understand visitor trends at botanical gardens. The horticultural value improvement is a special need the research highlighted which comparative studies are highly facilitated. The data generalizability was questioned due to a few limitations, such as a small population. Recruiting more diverse populations may provide a more comprehensive understanding of the area.