KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Feb 25: Asia’s largest Tulip Garden, located in the heart of Srinagar, is gearing up for yet another mesmerizing display of vibrant blooms, as it prepares to showcase an astonishing 1.7 million tulip bulbs this year. Adding to the grandeur, the garden will introduce two new tulip varieties imported from the Netherlands, further enhancing its visual splendor, officials confirmed.
Nestled at the foothills of the majestic Zabarwan Range and offering a panoramic view of the iconic Dal Lake, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Kashmir. Every year, nature enthusiasts, photographers, and travelers from around the globe flock to this garden to witness its breathtaking beauty.
Assistant Floriculture Officer (AFO) Asif Ahmad, while speaking to UNI, emphasized the continuous efforts of the Floriculture Department in enriching the garden’s appeal. “Every year, we strive to introduce new tulip varieties to make the garden more vibrant and visually appealing. This year, we have added two new varieties to make the display even more colorful and attractive,” he said.
The garden, which featured 72 varieties of tulips last year, has now expanded to showcase 74 different varieties, offering an even more mesmerizing floral experience. With preparations in full swing, the garden is expected to be opened to the public after March 20, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in a sea of colors.
Asif further revealed that the two new tulip varieties being introduced this year are the ‘Triumph’ and ‘Darwin Hybrid’—both of which have been imported from the Netherlands, a country renowned as the world’s largest producer of tulips. These additions are expected to add a fresh burst of color and charm to the garden, making it an even more delightful spectacle.
Apart from the 74 varieties of tulips, the garden will also feature a diverse array of other flowering species, including daffodils, hyacinths, muscari, and supreme blossomed bulbs, along with trees in full bloom. Altogether, 1.7 million bulbs of tulips and other supreme varieties will grace the garden this season, creating an enchanting floral paradise for tourists and nature lovers alike.
Highlighting the uniqueness of the garden, Asif stated that India, like several other countries, sources its tulip bulbs from the Netherlands due to its status as the largest producer of these exquisite flowers. “Every year, we modify the vibrant color schemes displayed in the garden to provide visitors with a fresh and captivating experience. This year’s display will be quite different from previous years,” he added.
The AFO explained that while there are more than 3,000 varieties of tulips worldwide, the garden’s display is primarily curated based on three dominant colors—red, yellow, and white—which are most admired by tourists. The vibrant color coordination is meticulously planned to create a visually harmonious and picturesque landscape.
Asif also shared updates on the garden’s ongoing expansion and development projects. “The Tulip Garden has nearly reached its full expansion, with green spaces added wherever necessary. Additionally, work on Project Sakura is underway and will take a couple of years to complete,” he said. Other expansion initiatives, such as the construction of water channels and the installation of high-rise fountains, have also been nearly completed, further enhancing the garden’s overall appeal.
The Tulip Garden has already earned a place in the World Book of Records (London) for its unparalleled beauty, making it a unique selling point for Kashmir’s tourism industry. As one of the valley’s prime attractions, the garden significantly contributes to the local economy by drawing in a large number of visitors.
Last year, the garden witnessed a record-breaking footfall of 4.65 lakh tourists during its short 25-day blooming period. The brief yet spectacular lifespan of tulips has proven to be a major boost for Kashmir’s tourism sector, benefiting all stakeholders involved. As the countdown to this year’s tulip bloom begins, the region is set to witness another surge in tourism, with visitors eager to experience the breathtaking floral spectacle firsthand.
