Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Jan 09 : In Jammu and Kashmir nearly 90 percent of commercial floriculture growers registered with the Department of Floriculture have eluded the business—thus raising a question on sustainability of the department.
Commercial floriculture growers are people who cultivate and manage flowers and ornamental plants on a large scale for commercial purposes.
The official figures accessed by the news agency reveals that only 11.03 percent floriculture growers registered with the department of floriculture were active in the line.
“At present, 10,789 growers are registered with the Department of Floriculture, Gardens and Parks, however only 1191 are active in the line,” it reads.
It also said that the total area under commercial floriculture in the Jammu and Kashmir was 266.67 Ha and the flower growers have been able to generate income of Rs 19.42 Crores during the year 2023-24.
“At least 276 Gardens, Parks and lawns spreading over an area of about 13186 Kanals of land are being maintained by the Government through the Department of Floriculture, Gardens and Parks. This includes world famous Tulip Garden, Eight Heritage Mughal Gardens including Nishat, Shalimar, Pari-Mahal, Cheshmashahi, Jarokhabagh (Ganderbal), Verinag, Dara-Shikoh in Anantnag, Achabal in Kashmir division and Bagh-e-Bahu and Bhor camp Garden in Jammu division,” it reads.
The documents further reveal that the department is also maintaining two Botanical Gardens in Cheshmashahi and Kokernag and three important installations including in Raj Bhawan, New Secretariat, High Court and office-cum-residential lawns of VVIPs and VIPs.
About the famous Tulip Garden, the documents reveal that during the Tulip show of 2023-24, 1.7 million flowers comprising 73 varieties of Tulip, Mascari, Hyacinth, Daffodils and other spring flowers were on display.”
“At least 4.46 Lakh local, national and international tourists visited the Garden—which is an all-time record,” it reads.
