Holding company Meraas has revealed plans to develop a tropical forest bio-dome in Dubai featuring more than 3,000 plants and animals inside an enclosed eco-system – a first for the Middle East.

Located in Dubai’s City Walk, Green Planet will extend four storeys and include the largest indoor man-made and life-sustaining tree in the world at 25m (82ft)-high, according to Meraas.

In addition to a canopy of tropical vegetation, the eco-friendly attraction will include two treehouses, a flooded forest tunnel, a forest trail, waterfall and plunge pool and a number of viewing balconies to observe the bio-dome from above. For guided tours and school groups there are a number of exhibitions and displays, as well as multi-purpose classroom facilities.

“[The bio-dome] is built around the desire to contribute to environmental consciousness in the region,” said the company in a statement. “As part of this priority, Green Planet will aim to not only impress visitors with a novel green oasis in the city, but at the same time ensure that they enjoy an up-close educational and fun experience.”

The biodome has been slated for the first half of this year, adding to Meraas’s portfolio which includes The Dome Box, the region’s first 360-degree dome theatre at Boxpark, a wet play area for children at The Beach, and Reel Cinemas, also at The Beach.