Doha

The Public Gardens Department at the Ministry of Municipality & Urban Planning (MMUP) plans to open 55 new gardens in the country.

Mohamed Ali al-Khuri, director of the department, told local Arabic daily Arrayah that the gardens would be set up in different parts of Qatar to respond to the needs of inhabitants.

The department has been continuously developing existing gardens and the services and facilities provided there. Last year, 15 new public gardens were opened and two others are scheduled for opening within a few months at Umm Salal and Al Wakrah.

Al-Khuri said public complaints over poor lightning in some public gardens in the evening and non-availability of adequate children's play areas there would be resolved soon. In addition, the department is working closely with ictQATAR to provide free Internet services at all public gardens in the country.

He pointed out that the department produced more than 1mn saplings last year, in addition to saplings sold to the public, thereby catering to the requirement of the country for this product.

The department also conducts trips for school students to its nurseries in order to raise their awareness about the importance of preserving plants and maintaining a clean environment.

Meanwhile, al-Khuri appreciated the co-operation between the department and the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) and other related departments in the country.