Tap floriculture potential in Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 3: Stressing the need for promoting floriculture, Jammu and Kahsmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said that valley has been bestowed with a divine beauty that had to be maintained at all costs to present it as an ideal abode of flowers at an international level.

Promoting the cultivate of various kinds of flowers and exporting them to other countries would also give boost to the economy of the valley, Mr Azad said while visiting the newly developed flower garden at Siraj Bagh near Cheshma Shahi on the banks of the famed Dal Lake.

The grand garden of flowers is spread over 670 kanals with Dal Lake view on its front side and Zabarwan hillocks forming the backdrop. 60,000 ''Tulip flowers, which were planted in November 2005, have bloomed with full grandeur in this garden presenting most captivating view.

The Chief Minister said the efforts of government are on to motivate foreign and domestic tourists to visit the valley to enjoy the spring here.

The Chief Minister while visiting various compartments of the Siraj Bagh directed the floriculture authorities to utilize all the vacant land around the nursery and cultivate export oriented flowers.

He also instructed for removal of unwanted structures in the garden and directed the Director Floriculture to cultivate different kinds of flowers and plant fruit trees on the hillocks behind the Siraj Bagh garden.

He said the garden will be thrown open for visitors as well as for shooting of foreign and Indian movies. He said such assets are of high importance to attract tourists as the tourism formed an important component of our economy.

Later, Mr Azad visited the Mulbery plantation nursery in Aalochi Bagh in the city. The Chief Minister among other officers was accompanied by Divisional Commissioner, Basharat Ahmed and Inspector General Police K Rajendra Kumar.

The Chief Minister on this occasion was informed that 70000 mulberry have been distributed to various districts so far from this nursery while 30000 more plants are being planted.

UNI