Kashmiris welcome Jammu and Kashmir govt’s decision to create Japanese cherry blossom theme garden in Srinagar

With the aim of promoting tourism in the Kashmir Valley at the global level, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir is taking new steps during which the tourism infrastructure is being further improved and new places are being brought on the tourism map.

However, in another major development, the government has now planned to develop a magnificent cherry theme garden in the style of Japanese sakura in the summer capital 'Srinagar', for which all the preparations have been finalized.

This was revealed recently during a virtual meeting of officials of the floriculture department with Japanese officials and the Union Ministry of External Affairs.

"This is a welcome step, it will boost tourism here and more tourists will come here. Our economy will also be boosted," said Ghulam Ahmed, a local.

Through virtual mode, Professor AK Chawla Advisor (Japan) East Asia Division MEA moderated the meeting and various issues related to the project were discussed in detail.

The "Cherry Theme Garden'' is a Rs.10 crore project, an expansion plan for the Tulip Garden, Srinagar to make it more attractive and spectacular for visitors.

This project is being facilitated by Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

He said that the department would preferably export the plants in a phased manner for ascertaining the behavior of the plants and for later expansion.

He also informed that a 3-member team of officers will visit Japan to get first-hand experience of the plants and ensure that the best plant material is exported for the Cherry Theme Garden in Srinagar.

The commissioner secretary further said that there is a huge potential for floriculture activities in Jammu and Kashmir with modern farming technologies as a game changer for the economy of Jammu and Kashmir.

President Sakai International Exchange Association, Tadashi Nishiyama (a Japanese sakura expert) while answering various questions suggested that the Jammu and Kashmir government should send him the various types of plant materials required for the proposed garden.  He also assured to provide all possible technical assistance in this regard.