J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday expressed hope that the arrival of spring would revive the tourism sector in Kashmir as he threw open famed Tulip Garden in Srinagar.
Invoking a popular Kashmiri saying — “Wande Tzale Sheen Gali, Beyi Yi Bahaar” (winter will flee, the snow will melt, and spring will come again), Omar said the changing season symbolises hope and renewal for the people associated with the tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing reporters after throwing open the tulip garden to visitors, Omar said Kashmir’s natural beauty becomes more vibrant during spring that attracts tourists from across the country and beyond.
“It is beautiful weather. There is snow, there is rain, and the fragrance of flowers everywhere. Where else will we see this beauty? We hope the spring season that has begun this week becomes a new spring for all those people in Jammu and Kashmir who are connected with tourism,” he said.
The Tulip Garden in the foothills of Zabarwan range was traditionally thrown open to visitors in the last week of March, but its opening was advanced this year due to the noticeable rise in temperatures during February.
Last year, Tulip Garden recorded a footfall of around 8.25 lakh visitors in April. However, the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 26 that left 26 civilians dead, including 25 tourists, dealt a severe blow to the valley’s tourism sector, causing a sharp decline in tourist arrivals for several months.
The chief minister noted that the tourism sector had gone through a difficult period but expressed optimism that conditions would improve with the change in weather.
“We hope people will benefit from the beauty of Jammu and Kashmir. Tourists will start coming to the garden and by the time the flowers fully bloom, the garden will be filled with local visitors and tourists,” he added.
Responding to a question about new additions to the garden this year, Omar said the Floriculture Department has made several improvements even though not every new initiative necessarily requires a formal inauguration.
“This year some terraces have been added and the design of the flower beds on these terraces has been changed. Another new feature is related to the souvenir shop. This is just the beginning and more additions will be made to give visitors a new experience,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of the tulip garden for tourism, Omar said the opening of the garden traditionally marks the beginning of Kashmir’s main tourist season.
“Our winter tourism is largely limited to Gulmarg, though tourists also visited Sonmarg this year. But the main season usually starts from here. .. I hope that the situation will be good. And a good season will be given to the people who belong to the tourism industry,” he said.
Omar also appreciated the efforts of the Floriculture Department staff who worked hard to prepare the garden for the season.
On the possibility of developing tulip bulbs locally instead of importing them from the Netherlands, he said institutions such as Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) were already working on proposals to propagate tulip bulbs within the Valley.
“If we are able to develop tulip bulbs locally, it will help save foreign exchange currently spent on imports from the Netherlands and further boost the floriculture industry here,” he said.
Regarding security arrangements for tourists, Omar said the agencies responsible for security were performing their duties and would ensure the safety of visitors at all tourist destinations across the Valley.
