The famous Tulip Garden in Kashmir, the biggest in Asia, is seeing an increase in visitors every year.
A record 4.35 lakh people visited the garden this year, the most since it opened in 2006, before the authorities decided to close it for the season on Thursday.
The garden in Srinagar, the picturesque capital, saw an all-time record footfall of 4.35 lakh tourists and visitors this year, but the authorities decided to close it for the season starting on Thursday. These figures were achieved in spite of April’s nonstop rains and the valley’s declining daytime temperatures as a result of the sparse snowfall on the mountains.
The numbers are 15% more than last year’s 3.77 lakh visitors and almost double of 2.3 lakh in 2001.
“We recorded an all time high number of 4.35 lakh tourists mostly from various parts of the country, locals and some foreigners who visited the garden till Tuesday. We expect the number to increase to 4.5 lakh as the day ends after which the garden will be closed to the public,” said incharge of the garden, Asif Yatoo.
The garden, which has earned a spot in the World Book of Records (London), was opened on March 23 with over 1.7 million tulip bulbs.
The magnificent 30-hectare terraced garden is situated on the foothills of Zabarwan mountain range, on the banks of the Dal Lake in Kashmir’s summer capital Srinagar. It was laid in 2006 and has caught the imagination of visitors from across the country and outside.
“While 80% were tourists from various states, over 1,000 foreign tourists were also among the visitors,” Yatoo said.
The garden is maintained by the floriculture department, which has added five more tulip varieties, bringing the total to 73. The tulip bloom typically begins in late March. Tulip flowers have a 20-day lifespan on average, but they can last up to 25–30 days. By including late-blooming tulip varieties, you can extend the bloom period overall. Temperatures above 15 degrees and below 25 degrees are required for the temperature-sensitive flowers.
In the spring, the Valley experienced sporadic rains, which dropped the temperature and postponed the bloom. The tulip’s life has come to an end, and the flowers have nearly dried, leaving behind their bulbs, which will be carefully removed and stored in preparation for planting again the following year.
“Despite the weather, we set a new record of arrivals this year,” Yatoo said.
Alongside the iconic tulip bloom, there were also delicate daffodils, fragrant hyacinths, resplendent roses, charming ranunculi, vibrant muscaria and enchanting iris creating an enchanting tapestry of colours and fragrances. There is a central fountain channel with waterfalls and high-rise fountains.
36 plots total, with 16–18 beds in each, make up the garden. The Zabarwan Mountains dominate three parks within the garden where guests can sit and imagine themselves in a sea of color. The garden’s numerous pathways are edged with tulip trees and other small ornamental trees.
Over the past few years, the garden has been a major factor in drawing in more visitors. Over 3.7 lakh people, including locals, visited the garden last year, setting a record. In 2022, there were 3.6 lakh visitors, and in 2021, there were 2.3 lakh.
“The money flows when 4.5 lakh people visit a place just as the winter ends. This is very good for the tourism sector and for the people associated with it,” Yatoo said.
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