Tulip Garden to be opened for public in first week of April

Srinagar, Mar 23 (UNI) Asia's largest tulip garden at the foot of the Zabarwan Hill, overlooking the famous Dal Lake here, is all set to be thrown open for public in the first week of April.

A workforce of about 400 labourers and gardeners is working round the clock in three shifts to give final touches to the garden before opening its beautifully built gate plaza for visitors.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who conceived and closely monitored the laying of the garden, today inspected the ongoing work.

He was accompanied by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mehboob Iqbal and Director Floriculture, Kashmir, Dr Sarwar Naqash.

Mr Azad expressed satisfaction over the infinitely beautiful spot coming up in the shape of the tulip garden in Srinagar and said it would emerge as a major tourist attraction in Kashmir.

He said the ambience and the setting of the garden would entice visitors to come here over and over again.

The Tulip Garden, emerging as a flori-marvel, is spread over a vast expanse of 100 kanals of land where 12 lakh tulip plants will be in bloom in the next few days. It is reportedly going to be a splendid view.

In all, 60 varieties of early, mid, late and very late blooming tulips will spread a rainbow of red, orange, purple, white, pink, parrot and yellow colours on the garden.

In fact, garden has started come to life with white, red, orange and purple varieties of tulips already in bloom. The full bloom is only about a week away.

''As many as 400 labourers including 150 gardeners are working in three shifts to complete the job by Tuesday,'' Dr Naqash said when asked how soon the work on the garden would be complete.

He said majority of the labourers and gardeners have been engaged through contractors.

A total number of 40 departmental gardeners are currently working in the tulip garden.

The unfinished works currently in the final stages include four fountains, gate plaza, cemented paths, landscaping and a guest house. These are all scheduled to complete by March 25, said Dr Naqash.

The entry to the garden will be through tickets of Rs 50 for adults and Rs 20 for children.

''The tickets will be beautifully printed which could be retained by visitors as souvenirs'', adds Director Floriculture.

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