(Image source from: Kashmirobserver.net)
As the authorities made the decision to close Kashmir's famous Tulip garden for the season starting on Thursday, there has been a significant increase in the number of tourists. This year, the garden experienced a record-breaking footfall of 4.35 lakh visitors, the highest since its establishment in 2006. Despite the continuous rainfall in April and a drop in temperatures due to light snowfall in the valley, the garden still attracted a substantial number of tourists and visitors. These figures exceeded last year's count of 3.77 lakh visitors by 15% and nearly doubled the 2.3 lakh visitors in 2021. Incharge of the garden, Asif Yatoo, stated that the garden had received an unprecedented number of tourists, reaching 4.35 lakh, mostly from different parts of the country, including locals and some foreigners. He also mentioned that the number is expected to reach 4.5 lakh by the end of the day, after which the garden will be closed to the public.
Situated on the foothills of Zabarwan mountain range, by the shores of Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir's summer capital, lies a stunning 30-hectare terraced garden adorned with over 1.7 million tulip bulbs. Created in 2006, this enchanting garden has captivated visitors from all corners of the country and beyond. While the majority of the visitors were tourists from different states, there were also more than 1,000 foreign tourists who marveled at its beauty. The garden, managed by the floriculture department, recently introduced five new varieties of tulips, bringing the total number of types to an impressive 73. Typically, the tulips begin to bloom in late March. These delicate flowers have an average lifespan of 20 days, but by incorporating late-blooming varieties, their bloom can be extended up to 25-30 days. However, these temperature-sensitive flowers require temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius to thrive.
This year, the valley experienced sporadic spring showers, causing temperatures to drop and delaying the tulip bloom. Now, as the tulips have reached the end of their life cycle, their flowers have withered, leaving behind their bulbs. These bulbs will be carefully removed and stored for planting in the following year's bloom. Despite the challenging weather conditions, this year's visitor count has set a new record, according to Yatoo. Among the famous tulip blossoms, there were also beautiful daffodils, sweet-smelling hyacinths, stunning roses, lovely ranunculi, lively muscaria, and captivating iris, all forming a mesmerizing display of colors and scents. A central fountain pathway, complete with cascading waterfalls and towering fountains, adds to the charm. The garden is organized into 36 sections, each containing 16-18 flower beds. Additionally, there are three parks within the garden where visitors can relax and imagine themselves in a tranquil setting.
