Srinagar, The Jammu & Kashmir government is mulling establishing theme-based gardens in the twin cities of Jammu and Srinagar.
Commissioner Secretary, Department of Floriculture, Parks and Gardens, Shiekh Fayaz Ahmad on Wednesday said the government was mulling to establish theme-based gardens and the process in this regard has been initiated at all levels.
He said the government was all set to identify land for these gardens in Srinagar and Jammu. He said that the gardens would be developed on a scientific basis which would help the government to attract a huge number of tourists.
He said this would give impetus to the local entrepreneurship and help them to avail benefits. The government was also maintaining 499 gardens, besides upgrading the heritage gardens, including Mughal gardens across the Kashmir region.
Ahmad said that making uniquely different gardens does not necessarily mean huge expenditure. “Just one little change and the city could well be on its way to be called a paradise in the world of gardens,” he said.
Ahmad said that the Department deputes its officials and workers on a regular basis for the Model Training Course (MTC) on advances in Floriculture and Landscaping held across several centres of the country.
He said besides this, training of farmers on plant propagation and nursery management is also carried out by the Department.
The Commissioner Secretary said that several initiatives have been taken to strengthen the existing network, which boosts the floriculture sector and makes it more focused and research oriented.
“We are making sure that this vital sector gets its due priority,” he said.
The Commissioner Secretary said that the famous tulip garden in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar would be open for visitors this year with several new varieties.
He said the government was also planning to extend the garden with Sakura gardens (early blooming cherry gardens), for which DPRs have already been prepared.
Meanwhile, Director, Floriculture, Kashmir, Farooq Ahmad Rather said that known as Asia’s largest tulip garden, it would house 1.3 million flowers this year with 55 varieties.
Rather said that in addition to tulips, flowers of other varieties like daffodils, hyacinths and ranunculus are also grown in the garden.
He informed that this year some five new varieties have been added.
The garden, which is spread over 30 hectares, is situated at the mesmerizing foothills of the Zabarwan hills on the banks of the Dal Lake.
