Wounded Srinagar embraces tourists, largest Tulip Garden
New Delhi, March 27: After last month's drop due to curfew and general strikes early this month, the tourists seem to have returned to Kashmir and buoyed by this the government advanced opening of Tulip garden on the banks of Dal Lake.
Asia's largest Tulip garden, with over 80 varieties of the exotic flower, was thrown open to visitors today. This marks the beginning of the new tourism season in the Valley. Last week the state government had set March 29 as the date of opening the renovated garden. But the number of tourists for this long weekend forced the change of dates.
The 15-hectare garden in the foothills of Zabarwan Range was officially opened to visitors by Minister for Floriculture Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed.
Last
Sunday,
Minister
for
Tourism
Gulam
Ahmad
Mir
had
said
that
‘tourism
is
nobody's
enemy
but
the
backbone
of
the
state's
economy'.
He
had
appealed
to
the
stakeholders
to
play
a
positive
role
towards
creating
a
‘feasible
atmosphere
in
the
state
to
attract
more
tourists.'
"There is no reduction in tourist flow expected as cancellations have not been reported from any side," the Tourism Minister had said.
A large number of people including tourists thronged the garden immediately after its opening on Wednesday to enjoy the myriad view of tulips, officials said.
The state Floriculture department said a total of over 1.5 million tulips, of over 80 varieties are presently in bloom at the garden.
The
department
has
added
3.24
lakh
more
bulbs
of
24
new
varieties
this
season
to
make
the
garden
more
attractive.
"The
bulbs
have
been
imported
from
Holland
and
have
been
introduced
in
the
Valley
for
the
first
time,"
officials
said.
Meanwhile, supporting the minister's claim is the fact that there has been no reduction in number of flights, with 17 to 18 flights a day operating during the current month. The frequency of the flights will increase to about 38 in April and May.
Even on the political front, there is a good news. The Chairmen of both the factions of - Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq of Hurriyat Conference have appealed to the people to ensure safety of tourists and provide hospitality as per Kashmir's traditions.
OneIndia News