Pink Paradise : Srinagar will now get Japanese cherry blossom theme garden

Srinagar (Mudasir Maqbool) : After the famous Tulip Garden the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir will soon get another famous tourist attraction. The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to set up a magnificent Cherry Blossom Theme Garden on the lines of Japanese Sakura.

The modalities of the cherry garden are being finalized and could be set up by the end of the year.This came to light during a virtual meeting of Department of Floriculture officials with Japanese officials and Union Ministry of External Affairs.

Professor AK Chawla, Adviser (Japan) East Asia Division MEA moderated the meeting which involved procurement of planting material from Japan and technical guidance Various issues regarding the project were discussed in detail.

‘Cherry Theme Garden’ is a Rs 10 crore project, an expansion plan to make Tulip Garden Srinagar more attractive and spectacular for visitors. This project is being facilitated by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

Highlighting the broad contours of the project official said,that in the first instance around 2,500 cherry trees would be required and some varieties have been identified which would suit our location.

He said that the department would export the plants in a phased manner to ascertain the behavior of the plants and later go for expansion. He also informed that a 3 member team of officials will visit Japan to get first hand experience of plants and ensure that best plant material is exported for Cherry Theme Garden in Srinagar.

The commissioner secretary said that there is a huge potential for floriculture activities in Jammu and Kashmir with modern agricultural techniques as a game changer for the economy. Sakai International Interchange Association President Tadashi Nishiyama (Japanese sakura expert) while answering various questions suggested that the Government of J&K should send him variety wise total number of planting material required for the proposed garden. He also assured to provide all possible technical assistance in this regard.