Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister highlighted the immense opportunities in the floriculture sector, especially with Kashmir Valley soon to be connected with the rest of the country through railways. He emphasised the need to leverage this connectivity to market Kashmir’s flowers across India and globally.
“We must engage progressive growers and other stakeholders to fully realise the sector’s potential,” the Chief Minister said.
He further directed the department to plant tulips along the Airport Road to enhance the aesthetic appeal and launch ad campaigns to attract more tourists to Srinagar’s iconic Tulip Garden.
Earlier, Commissioner Secretary Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad gave a detailed presentation on the department’s functioning, highlighting achievements and ongoing projects.
Discussions further focused on various ongoing and upcoming projects aimed at the modernization and enhancement of the region’s parks and gardens.
These included the upgradation of Bagh-e-Bahu Garden and the establishment of Bour Camp Garden in Jammu. Other projects discussed were the development of chrysanthemum plantations at Udhampur, the upgradation of Badamwari, and the establishment of the Dara Shikoh Garden.
The Chief Minister emphasised the importance of modernising and mechanising garden maintenance to enhance efficiency while optimising resources and generating revenue. He urged the department to prioritise initiatives that boost the tourism potential of J&K while preserving the region’s rich natural heritage.
