Why in news?
Jammu and Kashmir’s first chrysanthemum theme garden, also called Bagh Gul‑e‑Daudi, opened to visitors near Dal Lake on 25 October 2025. The garden features about one lakh chrysanthemum plants producing more than 30 lakh blooms and aims to extend the Valley’s tourism season into winter.
Background
The patch of land for the garden, located between Srinagar’s Tulip Garden and the Raj Bhavan on the foothills of the Zabarwan range, was once overgrown and frequented by bears. The state’s then chief minister Omar Abdullah laid the foundation stone on 22 November 2024 with the goal of creating an autumn and winter attraction. Over six months, horticulture workers cleared weeds, planted chrysanthemums and built pathways with local stone. Unlike the tulips, which are imported from Holland, all chrysanthemum saplings were sourced domestically.
Garden features
- Scale and variety: The five‑hectare garden hosts around one lakh plants and boasts over 50 varieties of chrysanthemums in shades of yellow, red, orange, white, pink and purple.
- Local sourcing: All plant material and resources were procured within India, supporting domestic horticulture. The flowers bloom from October and continue through January, even under light snow.
- Visitor experience: Stone pathways weave among rows of blossoms and maple trees. The garden adjoins the existing Tulip Garden, creating a continuous floral attraction on the shores of Dal Lake.
- Employment and tourism: The project employed about 30 gardeners for six months. Tourists and locals are flocking to the site, extending the tourism calendar beyond the usual spring tulip season.
Significance
- The chrysanthemum garden diversifies Kashmir’s floral offerings, encouraging visitors to return in autumn and winter.
- By sourcing plants domestically, it promotes Indian nurseries and reduces dependence on imported bulbs.
- The initiative showcases how horticulture and tourism can coexist, creating jobs and enhancing the region’s economy.
- It demonstrates the potential of reclaiming neglected land for public enjoyment and ecological beauty.
Conclusion
Kashmir’s new chrysanthemum garden adds a splash of colour to the Valley’s landscape when other flowers have faded. It reflects the region’s determination to expand its tourism offerings and support local horticulture.
Source: The Times of India