Says “Garden showcases creative reuse of discarded materials, promotes sustainable landscaping”
Srinagar :Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday inaugurated Srinagar’s first ‘Waste to Wonder–Flower Garden’ and the Floriculture Mela at Floriculture Park, Polo View, describing the initiative as an innovative effort to promote reuse and recycling through creativity.
The Chief Minister first inaugurated the Floriculture Mela and visited stalls showcasing a wide range of floral varieties and floriculture products. Flower growers and farmers from across Kashmir displayed ornamental nurseries, herbal plants, pots, terrariums, floral décor, gifts, cut flowers, event management services and machinery and products of J&K Agros.
Interacting with stall owners, Omar Abdullah appreciated their business models and encouraged them to further expand activities in the floriculture sector.
Later, he inaugurated the Waste to Wonder–Flower Garden and toured the thematic space featuring installations made from discarded and reclaimed materials, including a vintage Ambassador car, Kashmiri tonga, floral boat, scooter, heritage jeep, tractor, old tyres and other ite
The Chief Minister said the initiative demonstrates how discarded objects can be given a new life through imagination and creativity.
“This is an effort by the Department of Floriculture to show people that almost anything can be reused if you have the thought and imagination to do so,” he said.
He urged people to think about reuse and recycling before throwing things away, particularly in view of the growing challenge of solid and plastic waste.
Omar Abdullah also encouraged people to adopt simple measures such as carrying reusable bags while shopping instead of using disposable plastic bags.
The garden has been developed on the principles of Reduce, Recycle and Reuse, with nearly 90 per cent of the materials used sourced through recycling and refurbishment.
Designed as an all-season attraction, the garden has been planned to maintain continuous floral activity from spring to late autumn through seasonal plant selection and bloom succession.
The Chief Minister also discussed further development of the Chrysanthemum Garden and said lessons from its first season would be incorporated during its expansion.
Drawing a comparison with the Tulip Garden, he said major attractions could develop progressively by adding new features and facilities over time.
He suggested that the Department of Floriculture study similar initiatives in Chandigarh and explore the possibility of developing the Waste to Wonder concept further in J&K to strengthen its tourism potential.
Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Bani Dr Rameshwar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Culture Brij Mohan Sharma, Commissioner Secretary Floriculture, Gardens & Parks Zubair Ahmad, Director Floriculture, Gardens & Parks Kashmir MathoraMasoom and other officers were present.
