Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Mar 26: The much-awaited Tulip Garden in Srinagar, the largest in Asia, officially opened to the public on Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Tulip Show 2025.
The grand inauguration was led by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who toured the beautiful garden and interacted with visitors, including young tourists from outside Kashmir.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by MLA Tanvir Sadiq, Nasir Aslam Wani, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, and other senior officials and administrators.
Omar admired the vibrant display of over 1.5 million tulips in bloom, set on the scenic Zabarwan hills.
Neha Sharma, a tourist from Gujarat, said, this is a breathtaking sight, unlike anything they have seen before. “I came from Gujarat just to witness the tulips, and I must say it’s worth it,” she said.
Notably, Chief Minister Omar also shook hands with young visitors and welcomed them warmly.
Additionally, tourism stakeholders are hopeful about a surge in visitors this year.
Minister Javed Dar, speaking to reporters on the sidelines, expressed confidence in breaking previous records for tourist arrivals. “We are expecting this year’s tourist footfall to break all past records. The tourism sector is flourishing, and those associated with it are happy. We are committed to improving tourism infrastructure and creating more destinations for tourists,” Dar said.
On the possibility of another tulip garden in Kashmir, he said there are no immediate plans for a second garden, and efforts are underway to develop well-maintained parks featuring tulips across the Valley.
Similarly, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani also stressed the need for expanding tourism attractions beyond Srinagar’s Tulip Garden saying, “If we have a Tulip Garden in Srinagar, we should develop almond and cherry blossom zones elsewhere. Expanding such initiatives will boost tourism across Kashmir,” Wani said.
Notably, as the tulip season begins, Kashmir is set to witness a major tourism boom, bringing economic benefits to the region and reinforcing its status as a top global travel destination.
Also, a traffic advisory has already been issued, and officials from the traffic department were seen present, controlling the traffic and making it a hassle-free passage.
Moreover, the footfall is said to increase after a week as the tulips will be in full bloom, and after the culmination of Ramadan, the garden is expected to be jam-packed with local residents eager to witness the Tulip Show. (KNO)
