Bids invited to develop access road to Oman Botanic Garden

As part of its efforts to develop roads and facilitate traffic, Muscat Municipality has floated a tender to develop an access road to Omani Botanic Garden.

A statement issued by Muscat Municipality said, ‘Bids are invited to expand the road leading to Oman Botanic Garden in Al Khoud in the wilayat of Seeb.’

The project will cover a distance of 1.5km, linking the Special Tasks Force Roundabout to Oman Botanic Garden roundabout.

A network of secondary roads spanning 1km will also be built to facilitate smooth access to the garden, in addition to barrier railings, surface water drainage systems and other facilities.

Oman Botanic Garden will showcase all the native plant species of Oman in carefully created natural habitats, from bonedry deserts to lush green monsoon forests.

The garden will also feature traditionally cultivated crops and the many ways people use plants in Oman. Located at the foothills of the Al Hajar mountains in Al Khoud, the site is one of only a handful of locations in the world where the ancient seabed is visible sitting 100m above sea level.

According to the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, 1,407 species of indigenous flora have been grown in environments simulating their natural habitat. ‘The team has conducted about a thousand field trips since the beginning of the project.’

The project is the first of its kind in the region; no other botanical garden represents the entire flora of one country in habitat settings, presenting an unprecedented opportunity for visitors to experience the natural vegetation of Oman, while learning about agricultural heritage, cultural traditions and the legendary hospitality of the sultanate.

The project will include cable cars, nurseries, a visitor centre, research centre, field study centre, habitat gardens, habitat pavilions, amenity areas, play areas and family zones in garden settings that are unique to Oman.