Srinagar, Mar 24 (JKNS): Director Floriculture Kashmir Mathoora Masoom on Tuesday said that the Tulip Garden has witnessed a steady increase in visitor footfall since it was opened to the public on March 16.
Speaking to news agency JKNS, Masoom said that even before the official opening by the Chief Minister, a large number of people were eagerly waiting to visit the garden, and since its opening, the rush has been increasing continuously.
“During first days of opening, it rained at times, which somehow affected visitor movement, but the garden looks even more beautiful after rainfall and attracts more people,” she said.
She further said that the footfall increases throughout the day, particularly on weekends and during Eid holidays, when there was a heavy rush of visitors.
“Both local visitors and tourists from outside are coming in large numbers. Many people try to enter the garden even during evening hours, though it remains open during fixed timings and the ticket counter closes accordingly,” she said.
She added that currently around 10,000 to 12,000 visitors are arriving on normal days, compared to 7,000–7,500 on the opening day, showing a steady upward trend.
“On weekends and Eid festive days, the garden saw a much higher turnout, with nearly 20,000 people visiting on peak days. Both local visitors and tourists from outside the Valley have been thronging the garden in large numbers,” she said.
The Director said that enquiries about the garden’s opening had started as early as February, with tourists planning their visits during peak bloom.
“So far, over 75,000 visitors have already visited the Tulip Garden in just about a week. We expect the footfall to increase further in the coming days as the bloom reaches its peak,” she said.
She added that a large number of visitors from within Jammu and Kashmir, as well as other states and countries, are expected to visit the Tulip Garden in the coming days to witness its scenic beauty, and expressed hope that previous records will be broken. (JKNS)