Srinagar, April 17: Asia’s largest tulip garden, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar, experienced a significant drop in visitor numbers this season, attracting just over 3.90 lakh individuals, a stark contrast to the record 8.55 lakh visitors recorded in the previous year. This decline raises questions about the stability of the region’s tourism sector.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that while the overall footfall decreased substantially, the garden hosted 1,222 foreign nationals and 2.89 lakh domestic tourists. Local residents constituted the remaining approximately 1.60 lakh visitors.
An official from the floriculture department commented that while the decline is notable, the numbers should be considered within the context of the previous year’s exceptionally high turnout. This year’s performance, despite the dip, was described as creditable given the prevailing circumstances. The department highlighted efforts to enhance the visitor experience through increased bulb density and the introduction of newer tulip varieties, aiming to create a richer visual spectacle.
This season featured over 70 varieties of tulips, with the bloom’s aesthetic quality being among the finest observed. The department reiterated its commitment to developing the garden into a world-class tourist destination.
Situated at the foothills of the Zabarwan range with a view of Dal Lake, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden commenced its operations for the 2026 season on March 16, showcasing over 1.8 million tulip bulbs across more than 70 distinct varieties. The opening was advanced by a week, facilitated by an unseasonably warm spell that accelerated the blooming process and shortened the viewing window for visitors.
The marked reduction in visitor numbers compared to the previous year is attributed to a unique set of circumstances that characterized the 2025 season. The record turnout of 8.55 lakh visitors in 2025 occurred shortly after a militant attack in Pahalgam, an event that had a considerable impact on the tourism industry, leading to cancellations and altered travel plans. Despite the incident, the period leading up to it had seen exceptionally high visitor numbers, contributing to the historical tally.
When viewed historically, the 3.90 lakh visitors recorded this year still surpass the garden’s performance in most previous years. Official records indicate a consistent rise in visitor numbers in the years preceding the 2025 surge, with 4.45 lakh visitors in 2024, 3.75 lakh in 2023, and 3.62 lakh in 2022. The garden was closed throughout 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to that, it recorded 2.59 lakh visitors in 2019, 1.90 lakh in 2018, and 1.50 lakh in 2017, underscoring its growth as a significant tourist attraction over the past decade.
The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden was originally established in 2008 with the objective of attracting tourists to Kashmir during the comparatively less busy spring months. What began as a horticultural initiative has since developed into one of the valley’s most recognized and photographed attractions, drawing visitors from both domestic and international locales each spring.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
