Satyendra Pathak
Doha
Al Dosari Zoo and Game Reserve, popularly known as Al Dosari Park, will be undergoing major renovation and expansion works beginning this year, the park’s owner has said.
In an interview with Qatar Tribune, Mohamed Mater al Dosari, owner and director of Al Dosari Zoo & Game Reserve, said the renovation work is aimed at preparing the park as one of the major attractions for fans and tourists during the month-long 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
While it is very popular among expatriate communities in Qatar, Dosari said, the 30-year-old park needs to be renovated and expanded to keep the large number of visitors from around the world entertained during the World Cup.
"Under its first major refurbishment in 30 years, new buildings will come up to house an exhibition centre, an entertainment city, new parking areas and resorts,” he said.
The new buildings with a total area of 10,000 sqm will also have an education centre, heritage section, veterinary clinic, accommodation for workers and a dedicated VIP area to receive ministers, ambassadors and other dignitaries, he said.
"We are in talks with the government to allot us more land to expand the park as number of visitors to the park has surged. We need to increase the parking areas,” he said.
The park currently receives 170,000 visitors a year and the number is expected to more than double in the run-up to the World Cup, he added.
"On Fridays and holidays, the park receives more than 3,000 visitors. This number will increase manifold during the period of the World Cup. So, we have many plans for the World Cup. Our idea is to make the park an ideal combination of entertainment, heritage and education,” he said.
Work on the new buildings will start soon, he said, adding that all expansion work will be completed well before the World Cup kicks off.
Dosari said special arrangements have already been made with Mowasalat to provide frequent, reliable bus service from different parts of Doha to the park.
"The upcoming metro station in Shahaniya will make it easier for tourists to visit the park. Currently, there is a Karwa bus every hour from Doha,” he said, adding that talks are on to increase the frequency during the World Cup.
Dosari revealed that many new pieces related to Qatari folklore will be added to its heritage section once the exhibition section is ready.
"Currently, we have 100 such items, which will be increased for the visitors to know more about Qatar’s past. We also have plans to expand the Qatar environment plant section to include all plants that blossom in Qatari environment,” he said.
The park, which already features picnic areas, animal safari park, a zoo, an amusement park as well as heritage and maritime museums, is also fast becoming a popular place for indulging in ancient games like racing and jogging in gables and rope, animal riding competition and endurance and imitation of the sounds of animals and poetry competition.
Doha
Al Dosari Zoo and Game Reserve, popularly known as Al Dosari Park, will be undergoing major renovation and expansion works beginning this year, the park’s owner has said.
In an interview with Qatar Tribune, Mohamed Mater al Dosari, owner and director of Al Dosari Zoo & Game Reserve, said the renovation work is aimed at preparing the park as one of the major attractions for fans and tourists during the month-long 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
While it is very popular among expatriate communities in Qatar, Dosari said, the 30-year-old park needs to be renovated and expanded to keep the large number of visitors from around the world entertained during the World Cup.
"Under its first major refurbishment in 30 years, new buildings will come up to house an exhibition centre, an entertainment city, new parking areas and resorts,” he said.
The new buildings with a total area of 10,000 sqm will also have an education centre, heritage section, veterinary clinic, accommodation for workers and a dedicated VIP area to receive ministers, ambassadors and other dignitaries, he said.
"We are in talks with the government to allot us more land to expand the park as number of visitors to the park has surged. We need to increase the parking areas,” he said.
The park currently receives 170,000 visitors a year and the number is expected to more than double in the run-up to the World Cup, he added.
"On Fridays and holidays, the park receives more than 3,000 visitors. This number will increase manifold during the period of the World Cup. So, we have many plans for the World Cup. Our idea is to make the park an ideal combination of entertainment, heritage and education,” he said.
Work on the new buildings will start soon, he said, adding that all expansion work will be completed well before the World Cup kicks off.
Dosari said special arrangements have already been made with Mowasalat to provide frequent, reliable bus service from different parts of Doha to the park.
"The upcoming metro station in Shahaniya will make it easier for tourists to visit the park. Currently, there is a Karwa bus every hour from Doha,” he said, adding that talks are on to increase the frequency during the World Cup.
Dosari revealed that many new pieces related to Qatari folklore will be added to its heritage section once the exhibition section is ready.
"Currently, we have 100 such items, which will be increased for the visitors to know more about Qatar’s past. We also have plans to expand the Qatar environment plant section to include all plants that blossom in Qatari environment,” he said.
The park, which already features picnic areas, animal safari park, a zoo, an amusement park as well as heritage and maritime museums, is also fast becoming a popular place for indulging in ancient games like racing and jogging in gables and rope, animal riding competition and endurance and imitation of the sounds of animals and poetry competition.