Within a few years, tourists visiting the largest Tulip Garden in Asia in Srinagar, Kashmir, could extend their stay to witness the magnificent Cherry blossom, generally associated with Japan. As the Tourism authorities celebrate the success of this Tulip season, which saw a record 4 lakh tourists flocking in since its opening on March 23, their plans to start a Cherry Orchard next to it are already underway.
The Blossoming Cherry Orchard
Asif Ahmad, the Tulip Garden’s horticulture officer, revealed that out of the 650 canals of land at Siraj Bagh, where the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is located, some 250 Canals would be used for creating a Cherry Garden. This will include a significant patch of land and the entire periphery of the Tulip Garden. Although Cherry is a natural crop in Kashmir, saplings were imported from Japan to create a Japanese-style Cherry Garden.
A Collaborative Effort
The work on the Cherry orchard started last year, with 2,500 saplings already planted. The Rs 10 crore project is being executed in collaboration with the Japanese Government and facilitated by the Ministry of External Affairs. This horticultural endeavour aims to prolong the Tourism season in Kashmir by another month, complementing the Tulip Garden’s existing contribution.
Extending the Tourism Calendar
The Tulip Garden has already extended the Tourism season in Kashmir by a month, and the proposed Cherry Garden will further prolong it by another month. Previously, the months of March to May were traditionally dormant for the tourism industry in Kashmir. The Tulip Bloom has added a month to the Valley’s Tourism calendar, and the proposed Cherry Garden is bound to add another month, making it an almost year-round destination.
Tending to Nature’s Beauty
The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, recently included in the Book of World Records (London) for being “Asia’s largest Tulip Garden with 1.5 million plants and home to 68 varieties of tulips,” boasted 17 lakh flowers this year, an increase from 15 lakh last year. The garden is tended by over a hundred staff members and gardeners of the Floriculture Department, who work tirelessly throughout the year to ensure its beauty.
As Kashmir continues to bloom with these floral wonders, it promises to captivate visitors with its natural splendour and extend the allure of its Tourism season.
For detailed story, please visit: Awaz the voice
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