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<p>The Government has reviewed the status of the World Heritage Site as part of its
responsibilities since the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (“Kew”) was inscribed on the
UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Sites on the World Heritage List are of outstanding
universal value to humanity and for the conservation of mankind's cultural and natural
heritage. Kew was included as a result of its scientific and economic exchanges throughout
the world; contribution to scientific advances; outstanding examples of landscape
gardens; and the edifices created by celebrated artists.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>UNESCO
requires all sites to have a comprehensive Management Plan. Management Plans are generally
revised every five years or so. These identify what is important in a World Heritage
Site, the threats to the site, and measures to mitigate them; and set out a strategic
vision for the future with time measured action plans. The Kew World Heritage Site
Management Plan was last revised in 2011 and the Department for Culture, Media and
Sport confirmed that this met UNESCO’s requirements. Kew, along with other parts of
the Government, continues to keep the status of the site under review.</p><p> </p><p>
</p><p> </p><p>Government support, coupled with Kew’s other income streams, enables
Kew to exercise its duty of expert care over its historic assets, which are available
as a resource for the nation, and for the benefit of scientific research. One of the
Management Plan’s priorities for 2011-2016 is the building maintenance programme with
special priority to Temperate House. A major £35 million restoration of Temperate
House has begun, for which Defra is underwriting £10 million.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
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