Kashmir opens Asia's largest chrysanthemum garden to boost seasonal tourism

SRINAGAR — Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have opened Asia's largest chrysanthemum garden to the public, aiming to draw visitors during the autumn season. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated Bagh-e-Gule-Dawood, located within the Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden at the foothills of the Zabarwan range on the banks of Dal Lake.

Covering five hectares, the sprawling garden features more than 3.5 lakh chrysanthemum plants that have produced over 12 million blooms. The floral attraction is expected to remain in bloom for nearly two months, giving visitors an extended opportunity to experience the display throughout the autumn season, which is traditionally considered an off-season for tourism in the region.

Mathoora Masoom, Director of Floriculture, Gardens and Parks, noted that more than one lakh people visited the garden last year when it was first opened. She added that the department has received numerous inquiries from people interested in visiting the attraction this year.

The government has historically sought to position Kashmir as a year-round tourist destination by developing seasonal attractions. In 2007, then-Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad established the region's tulip garden using imported Dutch bulbs to start the tourism season early in March. Officials stated that both the tulip and chrysanthemum gardens are designed to attract visitors during periods that traditionally experience lower tourist arrivals, supporting efforts to reduce the tourism sector's dependence on peak summer months.

"Developing seasonal infrastructure is an effective strategy to optimize asset utilization and generate steady economic returns year-round. By creating targeted attractions like the chrysanthemum garden to capture off-season demand, the local economy can reduce its reliance on peak summer months, resulting in more consistent revenue generation for local businesses and service providers throughout the year." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes