JK CM Omar hoped that tourists from all over the country and abroad would be charmed by Tulip Garden

Srinagar, March 24 – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed hope that tourists from all over the country and abroad would visit the Tulip Garden at Srinagar in the days to come to enjoy the fantastic charms provided when about 12 lakh tulips of different varieties and colours would be in full bloom.

OmarAbdullah was the first to purchase ticket today morning when the garden was formally thrown open for public this year. He also posed for photographs with a group of tourists from Karnataka, who were very glad to be in the garden when the Chief Minister was there.

            Talking to media persons, the Chief Minister said we want people from all over the country to visit this garden during the next fifteen days when the garden would be at its peak and offer a breathtaking attraction to the visitors. He said the filmmakers from Mumbai should also give a thought to shoot their films instead of going to Europe. He said the garden was started by his predecessor Ghulam Nabi Azad and is likely to develop as a major tourist attraction in the coming days.

            He said that there is need to expand the garden which is spread over 35 hectares and where 12 lakh tulips of 70 varieties have been planted. He also stressed the need for developing the Botanical Garden adjacent to the Tulip Garden, adding there is ample scope for commercialization of floriculture.

            In response to a query, the Chief Minister said foreign tourists, despite travel advisories, visit the State and enjoy its charms. The travel advisories by certain countries, the Chief Minister said, is preventing visit of foreign tourists to the State in large numbers. He hoped that these advisories would be withdrawn in keeping with the improvement in the situation. 

         Speaker, Legislative Assembly, Mohammad Akbar Lone, Political Advisor to Chief Minister, Devendar Rana, MLA, Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani, senior officers and a large number of tourists were present on the occasion.

            Earlier, Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production and Floriculture, Mrs. Sonali Kumar threw open the garden for public.

It may  mention here that the garden, which was inaugurated on March 29, 2008, was visited by about 80,000 visitors last year. Tulip Garden, in the foothills of Zabarwan hill range, which is fast becoming a major tourist attraction Srinagar throw open its doors to public today

Extended over six hectares in the total area of about 35 hectares of land, the garden puts on show more than 60 varieties of about 12 lakh Tulips imported from Holland. Along with an added terrace, Hyacinths have been cultivated this year as well which usually bloom a month before the Tulips.

"Tourists have already been coming here for over a month now as the Hyacinths bloomed in the month of February only and due to the slightly warmer winter this time, the Tulips bloomed a bit early too," said Javed Ahmad Shah, in-charge, Tulip Garden.

Shah said the Floriculture Department is contemplating to open the Tulip Garden in the month of February from next year, provided the Government approved the plan.

The Tulip Garden, which has been named after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was an instant hit after its formal inauguration by Congress president Sonia Gandhi and then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad last year.

The Floriculture department raked in revenue of Rs 30 lakh for the three weeks of business at the Tulip Garden. Tulips started blooming in early and mid March and their life is five to six weeks only.

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