Asia's Largest Tulip Garden in Srinagar Closes After Record-Breaking Season

Srinagar's Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Asia's largest tulip garden, closed on April 26 after a record-breaking 4.46 lakh visitors visited the garden over a 33-day period. This is the highest footfall ever recorded since the garden's inception in 2007. The garden saw a mix of 3,204 foreign visitors, 3,35,636 domestic tourists, and 1,07,314 local visitors. The highest single-day footfall was on April 11, with 30,659 visitors, mostly locals.

The garden, which is located between the Dal Lake and the Zabarwan Hills, featured 68 varieties of tulips, with 5 new varieties added this year, and a total of 17 lakh tulip bulbs planted across 55 hectares. The Floriculture Department added another two lakh bulbs, resulting in a record 17 lakh tulip bulbs being planted in the garden.

Why this matters: The record-breaking visitor numbers at the Tulip Garden highlight the growing popularity of Kashmir as a tourist destination. The garden has played a major role in attracting more tourists to the Kashmir Valley during the spring season, contributing to the region's tourism industry and economy.

The Tulip Garden, spanning 30 hectares, has emerged as a must-visit spot since its opening in 2007, showcasing a vibrant array of tulips and other flora against the backdrop of the Zabarwan hills. The decision to close the garden was recommended by the Tulip Committee and officially sanctioned by the Director Floriculture Kashmir, with the goal of allowing the garden to recover after hosting over 4.25 lakh tourists this year alone.

Despite the temporary closure, the Tulip Garden remains a significant contributor to Srinagar's tourism sector, with hopes for its continued success while ensuring its long-term conservation. "The garden witnessed the highest footfall of 30,659 visitors on April 11, a day after Eid-ul-Fitr, with the majority being locals," a Floriculture Department official stated. The administration has stressed the importance of respecting the closure to prevent any damage to the garden during this recovery period.

Key Takeaways

• Asia's largest tulip garden in Srinagar closed after record 4.46 lakh visitors in 33 days.
• Garden featured 68 tulip varieties, with 5 new additions and 17 lakh tulip bulbs planted.
• Record visitor numbers highlight Kashmir's growing popularity as a tourist destination.
• Garden saw highest single-day footfall of 30,659 visitors, mostly locals, on April 11.
• Garden closed to allow recovery after hosting over 4.25 lakh tourists this year.