Srinagar, Mar 23: A huge rush of visitors has been recorded at the Asia’s largest Tulip garden, which was thrown open by the authorities on Saturday.
According to officials, a remarkable 17 lakh tulip bulbs have been planted across the 55-hectare expanse of the garden this year.
Besides, visitors will also have the chance to marvel at other spring flowers, such as hyacinths, daffodils, muscari, and cyclamens, enhancing the garden’s vibrant tapestry of colours.
Established in 2007 by the then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden was intended to extend the tourist season in Jammu and Kashmir beyond just summers and winters. Starting with a modest 50,000 tulip bulbs imported from Holland, the garden quickly gained popularity among tourists and has expanded annually in visitor numbers and tulip varieties.
Last year, the garden attracted over 3.65 lakh visitors, including domestic and foreign tourists. Recognised as a favourite location for film shoots, numerous film units nationwide have utilised its picturesque backdrop for their projects.
To ensure a memorable experience for visitors, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir V K Bhiduri chaired a meeting in Srinagar to oversee the arrangements for the garden’s opening. Among the directives issued was installing colourful lights to enhance the garden’s visual appeal, along with instructions for sanitation and cleanliness drives conducted by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation.
Moreover, the floriculture department has expanded parking facilities by nearly 22,000 square feet to accommodate the expected visitors to the garden.
