In preparation for next year’s spectacular display, officials have successfully sowed 1.7 million bulbs in Asia’s largest Tulip Garden located in Srinagar.
Javid Masood, Floriculture Officer, Tulip Garden, revealed that this year’s planting effort includes an additional one lakh tulip bulbs, bringing the total to 1.7 million bulbs.
Masood stated, “The process has been completed, with minor varieties like daffodils and other bulbs currently being sown. This is an ongoing process.” Last year, the garden had seen the planting of 1.6 million tulip bulbs. The current year introduces five new varieties, bringing the total to 73 tulip varieties in the expansive 30-hectare garden.
He highlighted that the introduction of new flower varieties and unique designs each year aims to enhance the garden’s visual appeal. Additionally, this annual activity provides livelihood opportunities for numerous gardeners, laborers, contractors, and other stakeholders.
Situated in the foothills of Zabarwaan Hills, the tulip garden draws thousands of tourists from around the world. The garden’s opening traditionally marks the commencement of a new tourism season in the picturesque Valley.
Masood emphasised that all tulip varieties in the garden are foreign, mostly imported from the Netherlands—a European country renowned for its canals, tulip fields, windmills, and cycling routes.
This year witnessed a remarkable surge in tourist arrivals, with over 3.70 lakh tourists, including domestic and local visitors, exploring the vibrant tulip displays. Notably, this surpassed last year’s record of 3.60 lakh visitors. Earlier in the year, the Tulip Garden achieved recognition in the World Book of Records (London) as the largest Tulip Garden in Asia, adding another feather to its cap of unparalleled grandeur.
