Omar Abdullah Inaugurates Asia’s Largest Tulip Garden in Srinagar for Public Viewing

Srinagar, Mar 16: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday inaugurated Asia’s largest tulip garden on the banks of Dal Lake, opening it for visitors nearly 10 days ahead of schedule. The early opening comes as warmer-than-usual weather in the Valley caused tulips to bloom sooner than expected. Abdullah was joined by Cabinet colleagues and National Conference MLAs at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden on Cheshma Shahi Road.

“This marks a fresh start for those in the tourism sector, who faced a challenging period last year. We hope the situation improves to attract more visitors to Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah told reporters.

The tulip garden was among 44 tourist destinations closed following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, which claimed 26 lives. It reopened this year after a comprehensive security audit. Abdullah highlighted ongoing efforts to develop floriculture as a commercial venture, including exporting flowers to other regions of India. “A reliable cold chain is key; once established through rail or air, this sector can truly bloom,” he said.

Efforts are also underway to cultivate tulip bulbs locally, reducing reliance on imports from the Netherlands and saving foreign exchange. On security measures, Abdullah assured visitors that officials would maintain a visible presence at all tourist destinations.

The garden, originally added to Kashmir’s tourism map in 2008, features more than 70 tulip varieties, with over 1.8 million bulbs planted to enhance its visual appeal. Cultural events have been organized to complement the floral display, and the opening day saw a large turnout of tourists and locals eager to experience the vibrant blooms.