Preparations in full swing for Jammu and Kashmir's tulip festival to be held this month

Last year, when the department of floriculture prepared the garden to welcome visitors, the government announced a lockdown in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kashmir’s tourism was affected but government officials are hopeful that at the end of March, when the garden will be opened for visitors, the Tulip festival will give a new look to the garden, a visual treat to the visitors.

The gardeners and labourers are busy at work installing a green net, repairing lights, some spraying fertilisers while others cleaning water channels. The floriculture department officials said that they have increased the quantities and varieties of tulip bulbs in this year's festival. Mohammad Shafi, Head Gardener said, "Now it is mainly cleanliness drive and preparations for the tulip garden which is going on here. Last year the tulip garden was not functional. By God's grace, it is going to happen this year in the last week of March."

"The preparations are going at a fast pace. Many labourers have got employment because of this festival," he added. Dr Inam, In-charge, Tulip Garden said, "One year went by without any show. We are hoping that more domestic and foreign tourists will visit us. We have a large number of queries this year regarding the tulip festival this year. Preparations are on the last lap. We will properly follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The number of ticket counters has been increased this year to properly follow social distancing norms," he added.

Abdul Rehman, another gardener said, "We have put in a lot of hard work. Kashmir is suffering because of the pandemic. I hope our efforts will pay off this year." Javeed Ahmad, a labourer said, "We are all in trouble because of the pandemic. The show will be very beautiful this year. We are now preparing the soil bed, adding fertilisers, creating and cleaning water channels."