Srinagar

Omar Abdullah on Monday opened Asia’s largest tulip garden for visitors on the banks of Dal Lake, expressing hope that the tourism sector in the region would recover after last year’s setbacks.

The chief minister, accompanied by cabinet colleagues and MLAs of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, inaugurated the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden on Cheshma Shahi Road.

Calling it a fresh beginning for the tourism industry, Abdullah said those associated with the sector had gone through a difficult phase last year.

The tulip garden was among 44 tourist destinations closed following the Pahalgam terror attack in April that killed 26 people. It has reopened this year after a security audit.

Abdullah said efforts were also underway to promote floriculture as a commercial activity in the region, with plans to export flowers grown in Kashmir to other parts of the country.

He noted that establishing a reliable cold chain network—through rail or air—was essential to boost the sector. The government is also exploring the development of tulip bulbs locally to reduce imports from the Netherlands and save foreign exchange.

On security arrangements, Abdullah said authorities would ensure their presence at all tourist destinations to reassure visitors.

The garden was opened nearly 10 days earlier than usual after warmer temperatures led to early blooming. Kashmir recorded one of its hottest Februaries in decades this year.

Established in 2008, the garden usually opens to visitors in the last week of March.

This season, more than 70 varieties of tulips are on display, with the floriculture department planting over 1.8 million bulbs to enhance the garden’s visual appeal. Cultural events have also been organised to attract visitors.

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The opening day saw an enthusiastic response, with large numbers of tourists and locals gathering outside the garden ahead of its formal inauguration.