Srinagar, Feb 19 (KNS): Commissioner secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Floriculture department, Sheikh Fayaz on Saturday said that Tulip garden will be thrown open from March 20 onwards for public.

 Talking exclusively to Kashmir News Service (KNS), he said that keeping in view the pleasant climate this year, the garden will be opened from March 20 onwards.

 He said that like previous year, 15 lakh tulips will bloom which had set a record of about 2 lakh tourists visiting the garden last year.

 “Department is fully prepared this year and new projects are being started for beautification and maintenance of new gardens and parks in the Kashmir valley,” he added.

 He informed that 100 kanals of land has been identified in Sonamarg for setting up a Tulip garden there and a rose garden would be developed at Pahalgam which will attract more tourists.

 “Department, besides maintaining old gardens is all set to develop new theme based gardens in the valley to attract more tourists. Department is handling now those parks which have more than 10 kanals of land and rest of the small parks have been handed over to municipality,” he said.

 He further said that the department has taken over such parks which were earlier handled by J&K Bank like Iqbal park and Badamwari. (KNS)