SRINAGAR: Kashmir’s tourism calendar is set for a significant boost with the development of the Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood (Chrysanthemum Theme Garden) in Srinagar. Alongside, the upgradation of a hi-tech flower nursery at Poloview is expected to promote sustainable horticulture and empower local growers.
The initiatives, costing Rs 4.83 crore and Rs 1.869 crore respectively, aim to enhance the region’s floral appeal and expand its tourism season.
The Chrysanthemum Theme Garden, spread over 100 kanals within Srinagar’s Botanical Garden, will showcase an array of vibrant blooms in shades of yellow, red, pink, and purple. Designed as an autumn attraction, the garden is anticipated to redefine Kashmir’s tourism landscape by drawing visitors during the quieter months of October and November, with its grand opening set for autumn 2025.
The upgraded hi-tech nursery at Poloview will serve as more than a resource hub for plants. It will act as a centre for education, offering workshops and training sessions to equip growers and citizens with sustainable gardening practices, ensuring the initiative’s long-term success.
Speaking about the significance of these projects, experts highlighted that Kashmir’s gardens have always been integral to its charm. While the Tulip Garden has successfully extended the tourism season into early spring, the Chrysanthemum Garden is expected to replicate this success in autumn.
“The chrysanthemum blooms, a hallmark of late autumn, have the potential to attract a diverse range of tourists, much like tulips do in spring,” said officials from the Parks and Gardens Department.
With the projects poised to generate new interest in floriculture, they are expected to benefit the wider tourism ecosystem, including shikarawalas, taxi operators, houseboat owners, and local artisans.
Additionally, the shift towards cultivating chrysanthemums locally ensures self-reliance from the outset, offering a sustainable model compared to tulips, which rely on imported bulbs. Efforts are also underway to establish local tulip bulb production, with a long-term vision of reducing imports and exporting bulbs globally.
The projects reflect a broader commitment to bolstering Kashmir’s agricultural and floricultural industries. Events accompanying the foundation stone ceremony showcased high-value products like essential oils and cut flowers, produced by progressive farmers. Government officials pledged full support to these initiatives, recognising their potential to contribute to employment generation and sustainable growth.
“Strengthening sectors like floriculture, horticulture, and handicrafts will pave the way for economic resilience in Kashmir,” officials noted, highlighting the government’s role in fostering private-sector growth to tackle unemployment.
With its breathtaking vistas and vibrant blooms, the Chrysanthemum Theme Garden is poised to become a must-visit destination, enriching the autumn experience in the Valley. Combined with the hi-tech nursery, the initiatives underscore a commitment to leveraging Kashmir’s natural and cultural heritage for sustainable tourism and economic development.
The projects are being developed with the collaboration of the Parks and Gardens Department and Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir, alongside active participation from progressive farmers and private stakeholders.
