Dubai gets an indoor rainforest

Dubai will get a taste of the tropics with the Dubai-based Meraas opening the region’s only standalone educational and recreational bio-dome, featuring over 3,000 stunning plants and animals.  

The Green Planet, situated at City Walk, will host a striking variety of species, recreating a lush tropical forest for visitors to immerse themselves in.

The facility also mimics the habitat to the point of regulating the temperature and humidity levels of the venue so that visitors can not only see what life is like in such an ecosystem, but can also have a vivid first-hand experience.

Upon entering the origami style glass building, visitors are greeted at the ‘Flooded Forest’ for a first look of the extraordinary forest floor, complete with a giant aquarium filled with species such as arapaima, arowana and graceful stingrays.

Visitors are then guided to the top of the bio-dome where they are presented with a magical panoramic view of the largest indoor, man-made and life-sustaining tree in the world.

As visitors slowly descend through the bio-dome, via a winding path alongside its periphery, they will have unique encounters with exotic and tropical animals.

From magestic South American toucans and crocodile lizards to pre-hensile tailed porcupines.

Commenting on the opening, Jean-Marc Bled, General Manager, Leisure & Entertainment at Meraas said: “The Green Planet was created with an aim to transport family and friends into the very heart of a tropical forest and give them a striking glimpse of the inner workings of such an ecosystem.

"By creating such a unique and immersive experience, we hope to showcase science in action and instill a sense of appreciation amongst visitors so that we can understand our eco system better in order to preserve it.”

Head architect of The Green Planet, Brad McTavish said: “The whole building was designed from a simple story about recreating a tropical forest within Dubai. We gathered and worked very closely with zoologists, aquarium specialists, and sophisticated mechanical and structural engineers to pool together our expertise to create the perfect habitat for the species at The Green Planet.

"What we have fashioned is a majestic living machine that sustains life and is easily accessible to all."

Horticulturist Rob Halpern added: “The Green Planet is an ecology museum, and we want visitors to both have a good time, see something beautiful, but also learn something important about nature, and the way nature works.

"There is a great deal of life, a great deal of diversity, and that’s why this ecology museum in Dubai centres on the tropical forest as it is to best tell the story of an ecosystem.”

According to the Dubai-based holding company, the facility is operated by a team of trained professionals from the ZoOceanarium Group, a specialised company with over 20 years of experience in developing and operating the next generation of aquarium and zoological facilities.

The group has been involved with The Green Planet since its conceptualisation through to animal acquisition, animal care and daily operations of the facility, making sure no efforts were spared to ensure operations are in strict accordance with the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

The Green Planet will also offer a total of 15 educational programmes across five topics and three age groups (3–6 years, 7–11 years and 12–14 years), that are inspired by the learning objectives of the Ministry of Education.

The highly engaging programmes have been introduced to instill responsibility and a collective awareness of the environment among students.

The Green Planet will be open from 10am daily.

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