Muscat Municipality sets garden arches to add beauty to walkways

As part of its efforts to beautify the city and increase afforestation, Muscat Municipality is installing a number of fabricated metal arches for plants in the Ruwi area.

A municipality official said that a number of fabricated garden arches were installed in various areas of Ruwi as the first phase of the governorate-wide project. “These arches have been installed along the walkways to enhance afforestation in residential neighbourhoods, increase green coverage and create a conducive atmosphere for outdoor activities,” said the official.

The fabricated arches are designed to withstand the harsh weather conditions, and over time will add aesthetics to the walkways, he added.

Talking about the quality of such installations and other city projects, the official said, “The municipality has the latest technologies for landscaping and spreading the green cover. This is reflecting in the ongoing project as well.”

There are 137 parks within Muscat governorate with a total green area stretching up to 2,730,446sqm. There are 19,565 date palm trees in the governorate, while the number of other trees stands at 51,831.

This is in addition to 336,777 shrubs and fences and seasonal flowers spread over an area of 84,205sqm.

The municipality’s nursery plays a vital role in the propagation of trees and plants such as sidr, zam, peltophorum, neem, in addition to African tulip, begonia, poinciana and others.

The average annual production of plants in the Qurm Park nursery is estimated to be between 100,000 to 120,000, while the number of shrubs is said to be between 250,000 to 300,000.

“The project to beauty the sidewalks adjacent to public roads and squares have a special place among the municipality’s different projects. This type of landscaping is done to add a vibrant visual element that has environmental, psychological and aesthetic benefits consistent with modern concepts of city planning,” said the official.

“We are working according to a well-thought-out plan to expand the scope of green spaces.”