SRINAGAR, MAR 06: Preparations are underway at Asia’s largest Tulip Garden, situated between Dal Lake and the Zabarwan Hills, ahead of its annual opening later this month, officials said on Thursday.
The garden, formerly known as Siraj Bagh, will welcome visitors once the tulip bulbs start blooming. The Floriculture Department has planted the bulbs in a phased manner to ensure the flowers remain in full bloom for over a month.
Assistant Floriculture Officer, Asif Ahmad, stated that preparations for the garden’s opening were in full swing. “This is an important tourist attraction, and it will be opened for visitors in the coming days,” he said. Officials also mentioned that workers were busy giving final touches to the garden.
Ahmad further revealed that two new tulip varieties had been introduced this year, bringing the total count to 74. “We try something new every year, and this time, we are introducing a new color scheme along with additional tulip varieties,” he added. Besides tulips, other spring flowers such as hyacinths, daffodils, muscari, and cyclamens will also be on display.
The garden now spans 55 hectares and features approximately 1.7 million tulip bulbs. “The extension of the garden has almost reached its full capacity, and tourists will be able to witness a breathtaking floral display this season,” Ahmad stated.
The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden was established in 2007 by then-Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to extend Jammu and Kashmir’s tourist season beyond summers and winters. Initially launched with 50,000 tulip bulbs imported from Holland, the garden has grown significantly over the years.
Last year, the garden recorded a footfall of over 4.65 lakh domestic and international visitors, compared to 3.65 lakh in 2023. “With the new additions and preparations, we hope to surpass last year’s visitor numbers. We invite tourists from across the country and abroad to witness this floral extravaganza,” Ahmad said. – (Agencies)
