Asia’s largest Tulip garden closes for public from Sunday

Srinagar: Asia’s largest tulip garden, which had about 12 lakh tulips of 51 varieties in its lap on the banks of world famous Dal Lake in the summer capital, Srinagar, was closed for public from Sunday after reaming open for about a month for visitors.
The Tulip garden in the backdrop of mighty Zabarwan range of mountains was thrown open for public, including tourists and locals, on March 31.
On Saturday, thousands of people, particularly school students from different parts of the valley, visited the garden, resulting in massive traffic jam on Boulevard road.
“As recommended by Floriculture Officer Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden that Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip garden is not suitable for further display to visitors due to less tulip bloom, the Tulip Garden, as such shall remain close from Sunday, April 28,” a government order read.
An official said that more green space was created and several new fountains were installed in the garden, where visitors this season enjoyed illumination display during evenings. “Ramp facility was also provided at the Exit gate for differently-abled people,” he added.
The tulip garden has attracted filmmakers as shooting of various Bollywood films have taken place here in the last 10 years. Earlier known as Siraj Bagh, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip garden was opened in 2008 by then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.
The idea of the garden spread over 30 hectares was conceived to advance the tourism season in the Valley by about two months. The average life span of the tulip flower is three to four weeks, but heavy rains or too much of heat can destroy it.