The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri on Tuesday convened a meeting to review the arrangements at Asia's largest Tulip Garden for visitors.

The meeting was attended by Director Floriculture, SSP Traffic Srinagar, Joint Commissioner SMC, officers of the Tourism department and Srinagar Smart City Limited.

The meeting held a threadbare discussion regarding the opening of the garden for visitors, traffic management, parking space, sanitation, cleanliness drive, fixing of potholes, online ticketing and other arrangements.

Asia's largest Tulip Garden at the foothills of Zabarwan Hills will bloom with 17 lakh flowers of different varieties this year and will be thrown open for visitors on March 23.

Addressing the officers, the Divisional Commissioner directed the concerned officer of Floriculture to facilitate online ticketing and put QR Code scanning facilities at different locations for the convenience of tourists.

He also enjoined the operation of colourful lights to enhance the visual vibrancy of the place. Moreover, he directed SMC to conduct a sanitation and cleanliness drive at the garden besides ensuring the availability of a separate mobile toilet facility for ladies and gents at the venue.

Further, he directed the concerned to repair potholes on the roads leading to the garden.

The meeting was informed that the department has added four kanals of additional parking space in the garden for the convenience of visitors.

SRINAGAR — The Department of Floriculture, Gardens, and Parks in Srinagar has revealed updated entry fee rates for all parks and gardens under its purview, effective March 1, 2024.

According to a statement from the department quoted by a local news agency, the revised rates are as follows:

For all parks and gardens (excluding Tulip Garden and Children Park Hazuri Bagh, Srinagar), the entry fee for adults will be Rs 30, while children below 12 years will be charged Rs 15. Similarly, for Children Park Hazuri Bagh, Srinagar and Tulip Garden, Srinagar, the fee structure remains the same at Rs 30 for adults and Rs 15 for children below 12 years.

Foreign visitors will also face adjustments in entry fees. For all parks and gardens (excluding Tulip Garden), both adults and children will be charged Rs 10, with adults accompanying children as guardians. However, for Tulip Garden, Srinagar, adult visitors will be charged Rs 75, while children below 12 years will be charged Rs 30.

The department official stated that these new rates will come into effect on March 1, 2024. However, for outsourced parks and gardens, the revised rates will apply from the date of either a new contract allotment or an extension of an existing contract.

SRINAGAR — Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a tourism boom as in just the first two months of the year 2023, 4.70 lakh tourists have visited the UT as the administration expects another record number of tourist arrivals in the ensuing year.

Addressing the gathering after inaugurating Asia's largest Tulip garden, situated in the foothills of the Zabarwan mountain range, overlooking Dal Lake in Srinagar, the LG said that tourism is picking up and tourists are visiting in large numbers.

“In just January and February months, 4.70 lakh tourists visited J&K and the figure excludes Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims,” the LG said as per the news agency KNO, adding that the figure is the highest ever so far compared to the past.

He said that in 2022, 1 crore and 28 lakh tourists visited J&K and the figure is the highest in the past many decades.

He said that this year, 16 tulips are in full bloom in the garden with 68 varieties. The garden is spread over 30 hectares of land. “I am glad to announce that we have a second Tulip garden at Patnitop where 2.5 lakh tulips are in full bloom. Efforts are on to keep both the gardens open throughout the year,” the LG said. He thanked the gardeners for their hard work and for keeping the garden ready in record time.

He said that EMARR group’s Rs 500 crores investment in J&K will give confidence to other foreign players to invest in J&K. “I am sure, we will see a huge investment in the healthcare and hospitality sector, tourism, and other sectors,” the LG said.

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed the “Taqdeer and Tasveer” of J&K in the past three years.

SRINAGAR — Ahead of the opening of the Tulip Garden, Traffic Police authorities have issued a detailed advisory for motorists, allowing regulation of only one-way traffic from March 19 to 26.

The Traffic Police Srinagar in the advisory, as per the news agency KNO, has said that they are anticipating a huge rush of locals and tourists in view of the opening of Asia’s largest Tulip Garden on March 19 (Sunday) and have decided to allow only one-way traffic for a week to avoid any inconvenience to visitors.

“Asia's largest Tulip Garden is being thrown open to the public on 19th March 2023 and it is expected that a large number of tourists and local populace will throng to Tulip Garden and other gardens in its vicinity. Due to the expected rush of people, there are chances of congestion, and for the convenience of people and to avoid slow movement, one-way traffic shall be regulated initially w.e.f. 19-03-2023 till 26-03-2023,” the advisory reads.

According to the advisory, the people intending to visit the Tulip Garden shall adopt Lal Chowk-Dalgate-Boulevard/Gupkar Road to reach the garden. On their return, they shall adopt the Nishat-Foreshore-Habak-Dargah-Khanyar route to reach their respective destinations.

“Likewise, motorists intending to travel from Harwan-Shalimar-Nishat and other adjacent areas towards Lal Chowk are requested to travel via Foreshore-Hazratbal route instead of Nishat-Boulevard road axis to reach their respective destinations,” the advisory reads.

It added, “Motorists intending to travel from Gulab Bagh-Zakoora-Naseembagh-Habbak and adjacent areas shall adopt Habak-Dargah-Khanyar route to reach Lal Chowk instead of Foreshore Road.”

The available parking places are in front of the Botanical Garden, open land at Kralsangri, SKICC, Royal Spring Golf Course, and LCMA Parking at Nishat. The visitors have been advised to park their vehicles only at designated parking places and avoid parking their vehicles on the roadside. “Wrongly parked vehicles will be towed,” the traffic police said, adding, “Emergencies shall be allowed to take the shortest route. One-way traffic will be implemented from 0900 hrs till 1900 hrs.”

The picturesque valley of Zabarwan
Is a sight to behold, serene and calm
The fragrance of tulips in the air
Makes one forget all worries and care

The snow-capped mountains in the distance
Provide a perfect backdrop to this existence
While the meadows offer a soothing respite
From the hustle and bustle of city life

The fountains, they dance and play
Adding to the beauty in every way
The valley of Zabarwan, a true delight
A place where nature's beauty shines bright.

SRINAGAR — Located in the Shehr-i-Khaas area of Srinagar city, Badamwari garden has become one of the important spring tourist attractions of Kashmir.

The garden is spread over an area of more than 300 kanals and is dotted with thousands of Almond trees which bloom en-masse, providing a soothing experience to the visitors.

Speaking about the garden, Director Floriculture Kashmir said that the almond tree is one of the earliest blooming trees whose bloom is magnificent and attracts both local and national tourists and visitors equally.

He further added that the bloom percentage in the garden is almost 30% and in weeks’ time, peak bloom is expected. He further added that the garden is the only garden in old Srinagar city which is a good source of recreation for the local population.

Director Floriculture informed that the developmental works to preserve and upgrade the garden are in progress and every care shall be taken to cater to the requirements of visitors.

It is important to mention here that the garden was visited by more than three lakh visitors last year and it is expected that a good number of visitors shall also visit this year.

Director Floriculture further informed that the garden is nicely spruced and the Department welcomes all to visit the garden and enjoy the mesmerizing almond bloom. "People should come and enjoy the beauty of Kashmir."

Tulip garden to be thrown open on March 19

Asia’s ‘largest’ Tulip garden in Srinagar is all set to be thrown open to the public on March 19, officials informed on Thursday.

An official told said that the garden will be thrown open on March 19 during a grand opening ceremony. He said this year over 16 lakh tulips of different varieties will bloom in Asia’s largest Tulip garden.

The official said all preparations have been done and the concerned department is now giving the final touches for the grand opening of the garden.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Secretary Floriculture department Sheikh Fayaz confirmed that the garden will be thrown open to the public on March 19. “We hope for a massive footfall of tourists at Asia’s largest Tulip garden this year,” he said.

He also said this year they have built a water channel and moving fountains inside the garden, which will add to its beauty.

Tulip garden in Srinagar has become one of the major tourist attractions of the valley since its opening. Situated at an altitude of 5,600 feet, the garden came as a shot in the arm for the Tourism department.