CM Omar Abdullah Throws Open Srinagar Tulip Garden For Visitors

SRINAGAR, Mar 16: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday opened Asia’s largest tulip garden on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar for visitors, expressing hope that the tourism sector would recover after setbacks faced last year.

The Chief Minister, accompanied by his Cabinet colleagues and National Conference MLAs, inaugurated the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden located on Cheshma Shahi Road, officials said.

“This will be a new start for those associated with the tourism industry. They had to go through a very tough phase. However, the situation keeps changing, and we hope that it improves to enable people from outside to come and enjoy the beauty of Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah told reporters.

The tulip garden was among 44 tourist destinations that were closed last year following the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. The garden has reopened this year after a security audit.

Abdullah said efforts were underway to develop floriculture into a commercial venture so that flowers grown in the region could be exported to other parts of the country.

“Most things are in place. A reliable cold chain is the issue right now. Once we get that, be it through rail or air, this sector can bloom,” he said.

He added that steps were also being taken to develop tulip bulbs locally in order to reduce dependence on imports from the Netherlands and save foreign exchange.

On security at tourist places, the Chief Minister said authorities responsible for safety would ensure their presence at all tourist destinations.

The garden has been opened nearly 10 days ahead of its usual schedule as warmer weather in the Valley led to early blooming of tulips. Traditionally, the garden opens for visitors in the last week of March.

More than 70 varieties of tulips are on display this year, with over 1.8 million bulbs planted by the floriculture department to enhance the garden’s appearance.

Cultural events have also been planned to add to the attraction, while a large number of tourists and locals were seen waiting outside the garden before its formal opening on Monday. (Agencies)