Tulip Garden to dazzle visitors starting March 23

Gardeners busy at Tulip Garden Srinagar on Friday. -Excelsior/Shakeel
Gardeners busy at Tulip Garden Srinagar on Friday. -Excelsior/Shakeel

5 new varieties this spring, 1.77 million Tulips

Irfan Tramboo

SRINAGAR, Mar 15: With the introduction of nearly five new varieties, the Tulip Garden is all set to mesmerize the general public and tourists from March 23.
This year, while 1.7 million tulips have been sown, the officials said that they are expecting a grand and spectacular show to be put on in a week’s time.
“The garden will be thrown open on March 23, and people will experience a mesmerizing bloom; currently, we are on the job with our people ensuring the finishing touches,” said Javaid Masood, Floriculture Officer.
Located along the banks of Dal Lake in the foothills of Zabarwan mountains, the garden presents a breathtaking view when in full bloom, attracting not only locals but also tourists from different parts of the country and abroad.
These days, the gardeners can be seen busy with the necessary preparations, which include preparing the flower beds, clearing weeds, and ensuring the soil remains clean and open for better aeration.
Masood said that last year, around 3.77 lakh people visited the garden in just 30 days, stressing that they expect to surpass that record by having more tourists visit the garden this year.
“We are anticipating a big increase in the arrival of tourists to the Tulip Garden this year compared to last year, and preparations are in full swing in this regard,” he said.
Officials further said that with the addition of new varieties this year, the total number of tulip varieties has reached 73, noting that the new varieties will give an enchanting experience to the visitors, making the splendid garden extremely beautiful.
Further, officials said that groundwork for the 1.7 million tulips has been carried out and that they are currently in the growth stage, set for blooming on March 23.
At the same time, the officials said that the department has also added another four kanals of land for the parking lot at the Tulip Garden to ensure a smooth experience for the visitors.
Asif Ahmad, Assistant Floriculture Officer, noted that the Tulip Garden was recently included in the World Book of Records, terming it a moment of pride, emphasizing the role of the garden in boosting and enhancing the tourism sector in J&K.
Apart from the works related to the flower beds, officials said that various other civil works, such as facelifting, toilet points, soakage pits, lightning system, and illumination, are ongoing, with clear-cut directives for their completion on time.