Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 12: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah convened a meeting with the Department of Floriculture, Parks and Gardens at the Civil Secretariat to evaluate its performance and explore methods to boost the sector’s potential.
In his address, the Chief Minister underscored the significant opportunities present in the floriculture sector, particularly with the impending railway connection of the Kashmir valley to the rest of the country.
He stressed the importance of utilizing this connectivity to promote Kashmir’s flowers on a national and international scale.
“We need to involve innovative growers and stakeholders to unlock the full potential of this sector,” the Chief Minister stated.
He also instructed the department to plant tulips along the Airport Road to improve the aesthetic surroundings and initiate advertising campaigns to draw more visitors to Srinagar’s renowned Tulip Garden.
Earlier, Commissioner Secretary Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad presented a comprehensive overview of the department’s initiatives, showcasing accomplishments and ongoing projects.
Significant highlights included the upcoming Tulip Show 2024, featuring a historic 1.7 million tulips of 72 varieties, with expectations to attract 4.46 lakh tourists in March 2024.
The meeting further reviewed essential advancements in the floriculture sector, such as the establishment of ornamental cherry tree gardens (Sakura) and the creation of a Tulip Garden in Sanasar.
Progress in developing peony and rose gardens at Pahalgam was discussed, along with efforts to enlist six historic Mughal Gardens as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Additionally, ongoing and upcoming projects aimed at modernizing and enhancing the region’s parks and gardens were addressed.
These included the renovation of Bagh-e-Bahu Garden and the establishment of the Bhour Camp Garden in Jammu.
Further discussions involved the development of chrysanthemum plantations in Udhampur, the upgradation of Badamwari, and the creation of the Dara Shikoh Garden.
Plans for themed gardens at Gulmarg, the establishment of floriculture nurseries, and the creation of a model flower center in Jammu were also examined.
Moreover, proposals for an amphitheater and beautification projects at Bagh-e-Bahu were evaluated.
The Chief Minister reiterated the necessity for modernizing and mechanizing garden maintenance to boost efficiency while optimizing resources and generating revenue. He encouraged the department to prioritize initiatives that elevate Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism potential while safeguarding the region’s rich natural heritage.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, ACS to CM Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretary Floriculture, Parks & Gardens, Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad, Directors of Floriculture Kashmir/Jammu, and other relevant officials.
