Srinagar, Mar 25 (ANI): One of the world’s largest tulip garden “Siraj Bagh” which is spread over 600 kanals of land at the foothills of Zabarwan overlooking the famed dal lake here was opened for the tourists on Tuesday.
Srinagar’s Tulip garden has 60 varieties of multi colored tulips. Almost 1.2 million Tulip bulbs will be ready by the first week of April in the garden, which is being developed over 100 kanals of land.
State Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who was the first visitor here hopes that more and more tourists would visit the garden from within and across the country.
“I want people from all over the country to visit this garden and enjoy its scenic beauty,” Omar added.
‘Siraj Bagh’, which has a unique and feasible topography suits different varieties of flowers. It has slopes suited for different varieties of fruit plants and wilderness suitable for wild flora and bushes.
People who were associated with tourism in Kashmir have also expressed hope that the garden would bring in bulk of tourists to the valley.
“The main purpose of this garden was to motivate tourism and it should benefit the taxi drivers, house boat owners, travel operators in their income,” said Ghulam Sarwar Naquash, Director of Floriculture.
Tourists who came here on the first day of opening, were attracted by the scenic beauty of the garden.
” I have been here for the first time. I have seen the colours on the fields. It’s fabulous especially the background, the mountains and whole of it,” said Peter Mark, a tourist from Holland.
Tulip, which has its origin in Persia (Iran), was introduced in Europe in 17th century, where it had been developed in different varieties.
Belonging to the Liliaceae family, Tulips are best suited for dry soil of mountain areas and require small amount of water but on regular basis.
Floriculture experts see a great scope in cultivating tulips from aesthetic point of view. Holland is the largest producer of tulips, which inhabit the mountain areas extending from Europe to Central Asia.
The plantation of tulips begins from September, before the start of winter season, which inhibits its growth. By Showket Jan (ANI)
