Asia’s largest tulip garden opens for visitors in Srinagar

 

Srinagar: With over 1.5 million tulips of 68 varieties in its lap, Asia’s largest Tulip garden overlooking the world famous Dal Lake was on Wednesday thrown open to visitors, marking the beginning of new tourism season in the Valley.

Lt-Governor Manoj Sinha personally invited tourists from all over the world to make a plan to witness the sublime beauty of nature. "J&K is calling. Welcome to Asia's largest Tulip Garden, with over one million blooms, opened to the public today. Make a plan to witness the sublime beauty of nature and enjoy the warm hospitality of the people of J&K UT", office of LG Manoj Sinha tweeted.

A large rush of visitors thronged the garden soon after it was thrown open by the Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, in the presence of senior officers from Floriculture department, Tourism department and J&K Bank.

The Chief Secretary, while speaking on the occasion, stated that the Government is expecting a heavy tourist influx this year as compared to last year. “The later part of 2021 had broken past records of tourist arrival to the region and we are optimistic of an incredible tourism boom this year also.

Director Tourism Kashmir GN Itoo said "it is the main attraction for tourists who visit Kashmir. Without visiting the tulip garden they think their tour is incomplete. Besides, it has preponed the tourist season of Kashmir by about one month."

Garden In-Charge Inaam Ahmad said " we work hard round the year to give our best to tourists and other visitors who come when it's in bloom. This time we have 1.5 million tulips here with 68 varieties, we have added some other flowers here to make it more attractive."

 Besides, extra plants like daffodils, hyacinths, narcissus and other ornamental plants are being planted here to decorate the area making the tulip garden one of the main attractions for tourists from different parts of the country and world.

Referring to major initiatives aimed at boosting tourist traffic in the Union territory Dr Mehta said the Government under a comprehensive policy has explored and developed hidden and virgin tourist destinations and tourists will have more places to visit beyond Gulmarg, Pahalgam and other places.

He said that the government has added 75 new virgin destinations, 75 new adventure treks, 75 heritage sites, and 75 religious sites.

Later, the Chief Secretary also inaugurated J&K Bank enabled e-ticketing facility for the visitors becoming the first visitor to generate E-ticket. He said that queuing up for a long time was cumbersome for the visitors, so E-ticketing was introduced to make the visit of tourists hassle free. (Agencies)