Tourists will visit Asia’s largest tulip garden in Srinagar on Monday. | Photo credit: IMRAN NISSAR
In a bid to woo tourists, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday (March 16, 2026) launched the annual tulip festival at the iconic Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, located at the foothills of the Zabarwan range in Srinagar.
“Around 18 million tulips of more than 70 varieties were planted this year, along with nearly one million other bulbous flowers including daffodils, hyacinths and daffodils, adding vibrant colors to the valley’s spring landscape,” Mr Abdullah said.
He appealed to tourists from across the country and the world to “visit Jammu and Kashmir during the spring season and experience its unparalleled natural beauty”.
Tulips bloom at the foothills of Zabarwan in Srinagar on March 10, 2026. Photo credit: IMRAN NISSAR
Mr. Abdullah expressed hope that the onset of spring would bring renewed optimism, prosperity and growth to the people of J&K, especially in the tourism sector, which serves as the main driver of the region’s economy.
“The Tulip Festival has become one of the most important tourism events in the Kashmir Valley and provides an excellent platform to showcase the natural beauty, cultural richness and hospitality of Kashmir,” Mr. Abdullah said.
Vocals for the locals
The Chief Minister also emphasized the need to produce tulip bulbs at home rather than exporting them from European countries.
A gardener works at the Tulip Garden at the foot of Zabarwan on March 10, 2026. | Photo credit: IMRAN NISSAR
“With time, the floriculture department will develop its own rootstocks to gradually reduce the dependence on onion imports and this would also require the support of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Kashmir,” he said.
He said that Jammu and Kashmir is blessed with unparalleled natural splendor and picturesque landscape which continues to attract nature lovers and travelers from different parts of the world.
On the occasion, the chief minister also released a song promoting tourism titled “Wadi-e-Sumbul” created by the Ministry of Information and Public Relations.
The J&K government has stepped up its efforts to attract tourists after the tourism sector was hit hard last year due to the Pahalgam attack that left 26 civilians dead.
Published – 17 March 2026 04:57 IST
