Dubai: Authorities in Dubai have overcome the obstacles of a desert environment to make the city ‘greener’. More than 44 million flowers cover its residential and commercial areas.
Dubai Municipality that carries out landscaping projects across the city has given the responsibility of planting millions of flowers throughout the year to the Parks and Horticulture Department.
Speaking to Gulf News, Mohammad Abdul Rahman Al Awadhi, head of the agriculture section at the Public Parks and Horticulture Department at Dubai Municipality, said that the unit is responsible for the maintenance of flowers during three phases of the year.
“The seasons for floral plantation in the city’s streets, roundabouts and public parks cover three phases. The first is during the early winter from September to December, then in the main winter season from January until May, and finally in the summer season from May to September,” said Al Awadhi.
New batches of flowers are planted on May 31, September 30, December 15 and on January 15.
“There are also flowers that bloom in different seasons as well as permanent flowers that live for one or two years,” he said.
As many as 44 million seeds covering an area of 1.3 million square metres were planted in 2012 across the emirate. Flowers were planted in streets, public parks, markets, abattoirs and gardens of the municipality’s buildings, schools, government buildings, mosques and special projects.
“Each year, we plant a minimum of 14 million flowers, but it ultimately depends on the projects in hand. We emphasise on planting seasonal flowers as they each represent different elements, which shape the appearance of the city through its exquisite designs, shapes and colours, for its residents and tourists,” he said.
The number of flowers planted in 2012 has increased 8.4 per cent compared to 2011. Over the last five years, the Public Parks and Horticulture Department has recorded an increase of 67.8 per cent in terms of flowers planted in the city.
Al Awadhi said a minimum of 14 million flowers are planted each season.
On average per year, 3.806 flower seeds are allocated for planting on streets, intersections and public parks. Three million flower seeds were allocated to new projects in 2012. Al Awadhi also said 230,000 flowers were planted around buildings, and about 43,000 flowers were planted in 2012 at schools, mosques and non-profit organisations.
— With input by Khitam Al Amir, Staff Reporter
