Srinagar: As the spring season takes hold in the picturesque Kashmir valley, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden has once again become a major draw for tourists. The garden, situated between the serene Dal Lake and the majestic Zabarwan Hills in Srinagar, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, signaling the start of a vibrant new tourist season. Established in 2007 by then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, the garden was designed to extend Jammu and Kashmir’s tourist appeal beyond the traditional summer and winter seasons.
In a bid to enhance its beauty and appeal, the Floriculture Department has adopted a phased planting strategy, ensuring that tulips remain in bloom for over a month. This year, the garden boasts an impressive array of 74 varieties of flowers, including two new additions to the tulip collection. Other spring blooms such as hyacinths, daffodils, muscari, and cyclamens also add to the garden’s vibrant display.
The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden began with a modest 50,000 tulip bulbs imported from The Netherlands but has grown significantly over the years. Today, it features about 17 lakh tulip bulbs spread across 55 hectares, marking its full capacity. Last year, the garden attracted more than 4.65 lakh visitors, continuing its trend of steady growth in both visitor numbers and floral diversity. The garden’s expansion and increasing popularity are underscored by its strategic location and the introduction of new parking facilities to accommodate the rising visitor count.
