Omar Abdullah Opens Asia’s Largest Tulip Garden in Srinagar to Visitors

“This will be a new beginning for those associated with the tourism industry. They had to go through a very difficult phase. But the situation continues to change and we hope that it will evolve in a way that will allow people from outside to come and enjoy the beauties of Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah told reporters. he said.

The tulip garden was among 44 destinations closed to tourists last year following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people in April. It reopened this year after a security inspection.

Abdullah said various stakeholders are working to make floriculture a commercial venture and the flowers grown here are exported to other parts of the country.

“Most things are in place. The issue right now is a reliable cold chain. When we achieve this through rail or air, this sector can flourish,” he said.

Abdullah also said that efforts to develop tulip bulbs locally are continuing to save on the cost of tulip bulbs imported from the Netherlands.

“This will also save foreign currency,” he said.

On the security of tourist destinations, Abdullah said that those responsible for security will definitely make their presence felt in all tourist destinations.

While there were hot days in the valley that caused the flowers to bloom early, the garden was opened to visitors almost 10 days earlier than planned.

The garden, which was added to Kashmir’s tourist spots in 2008, usually opens to visitors in the last week of March.

However, while Kashmir was experiencing the hottest February in recent years, tulips started to bloom early.

More than 70 varieties of tulips will be displayed in the garden as the floriculture department increases the density of the bulbs to give a richer look to the garden where more than 1.8 million tulips are planted.

Cultural events were also organized to increase attraction.

On the opening day, many tourists and locals were seen waiting outside the garden before its official opening.