Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Mar 25: Marking the beginning of new tourist season in Kashmir, Asia’s largest tulip garden in the foothills of Zaberwan mountains and overlooking the world-famous Dal Lake was thrown open today for tourists with around 1.2 million tulips of 64 varieties set to mesmerize the visitors this year.
Last year the garden remained closed due to COVID-19 and none was there to behold the sight of 13-lakh tulips, causing a loss of around Rs 5-crores. The opening of the garden is expected to give impetus to tourism, which has been badly hit by the two consecutive poor seasons. Click here to watch video
Director Floriculture, Farooq Rather told Excelsior that they have put in place adequate measures to ensure the implementation of standard operating procedures regarding COVID 19. “No visitor is allowed to enter the garden without the face masks and thermal scanners and sanitizers are available for them at the garden,” he said.
Many tourists who visited the garden were awestruck by the sight of multi-coulored tulips. Although only 20 percent of the flowers are on bloom in the garden, it was enough to cast a spell on the visitors.
“I have never visited a Tulip garden before. It is a treat to see the tulips of different coulors. I will never forget this sight,” Prasan Patel, a tourist from Pune, told Excelsior. He added that all the apprehensions and fears regarding Kashmir vanished due to the friendly nature of people. “I would advise everyone to visit Kashmir,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter on Wednesday and shared several photos of the majestic tulip garden in the foothills of the Zabarwan hills. “Tomorrow, 25th March, is special for Jammu and Kashmir. A majestic tulip garden on the foothills of the Zabarwan Mountains will open for visitors. The Garden will see over 15 lakh flowers of more than 64 varieties in bloom,” he tweeted.
“Whenever you get the opportunity, do visit Jammu and Kashmir and witness the scenic Tulip Festival. In addition to the tulips, you will experience the warm hospitality of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Modi said.
Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmed Khan, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said that the garden is emerging as an iconic tourist spot. “The tourists are always eager to visit the Tulip garden. The garden is emerging as an iconic tourist and it is famous all over the world. People from across the world visit the garden,” he said.
He informed that from 3rd April the government is holding an 8-day tourist festival to attract more tourists. “We will hold the festival in convergence mode wherein our handcrafts, food, and culture would be displayed to tourist. However, special care needs to be taken regarding COVID-19,” he said.
The department has also introduced new varieties and different themes for the beautification of the garden. In addition, they have extended the garden area by constructing a terrace water channel and fountains at the upper reaches of the hill.
Spread over an area of about 30 hectares, the Tulip garden was opened in 2007, to boost tourism in the Kashmir Valley. Apart from tulips, other flowers like hyacinths and daffodils are also grown here that add to the beauty of the garden.
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