SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today inaugurated the Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood, a Chrysanthemum Theme Garden, at the Botanical Garden in Srinagar.
Developed at a cost of Rs 1.869 crore and spanning over 100 kanals, the garden is set to become a major autumn attraction, featuring vibrant chrysanthemums in shades of yellow, red, pink, and purple. The Chief Minister described it as “a floral celebration that adds a new chapter to Kashmir’s tourism story” and officially opened it to the public with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting.
Abdullah praised the collaborative efforts of the Department of Floriculture, Parks and Gardens, and the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir (SKUAST-K), noting that the garden would help bridge the off-season gap in tourism and enhance the autumn experience for visitors. He recalled laying the foundation stone in November last year and likened the garden’s potential impact on autumn tourism to the Tulip Garden’s success during spring.
During the event, the Chief Minister also inaugurated an exhibition showcasing ornamental, lavender, and other floral varieties cultivated by local growers with departmental support. He interacted with floriculturists and appreciated the dedication of gardeners and field staff in bringing the blooms to life.
The inauguration was attended by MLA Zadibal Tanveer Sadiq, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretary Floriculture Zubair Ahmed, Secretary Culture, Director Floriculture Kashmir, and other senior officials.
