Sharjah's government has announced plans to set up a new botanical garden over a sprawling 600,000-sq-m area adjacent to the New Mosque on the Sharjah-Kalba intersection with Emirates Bypass Road, said a report.

HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, yesterday (July 21) signed the contract to develop Phase One of the new botanical garden at a special ceremony held in London, reported Wam.

The new botanical garden, along with the seed bank and herbarium in Al Dhaid City, is an important addition to Sharjah's many scientific, educational and cultural institutions, stated the report citing senior Sharjah officials at the ceremony.

This novel project is an addition to Sharjah's record of achievements and pursuance of the educational, cultural and scientific vision of its ruler, as the new garden will house rare plants from different countries, they added.

These plants will be documented according to the latest international systems, in addition to the establishment of advanced educational and training centres for different age groups, as well as specialised research institutes in modern plant science, said the Wam report.

The project will allow visitors, citizens, residents, university students and researchers in various scientific specialisations to learn about these plants as well as increase their knowledge, it added.