Jammu and Kashmir, a magnet for tourists, is agog with a burst of colours as Srinagar hosts a six-day long Tulip Festival from Saturday.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha along with Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan inaugurated the Tulip Festival at Asia’s largest Tulip Garden in the foothills of the Zabarwan on Saturday.

The festival is organized by the Department of Floriculture in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Tourism, India Blooms said.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said his administration was committed to cash in on this opportunity and take Kashmir’s tourism to new heights.

“Peace has returned to Kashmir after so many decades, it’s time we must cash in on this,” Sinha said after inaugurating the Tulip Festival at Tulip Garden.

“Government is committed to take Kashmir’s tourism to new heights amid COVID pandemic challenges,” Sinha said while admitting that “COVID cases are rising in Jammu and Kashmir and there is a need to follow SOPs in letter and spirit.”

“COVID cases are witnessing an upsurge across India and J&K as well. We are up to this challenge; steps are being initiated to curb the spread of the virus. We have put in place hi-tech testing facilities at airports and railways stations, people who on arrival are tested positive for COVID are put in quarantine,” he said.

“We have increased the budgetary allocation for the tourism sector, and the government is also working on developing other tourism destinations,” he said.

On Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tweet urging tourists to visit Tulip Garden, LG said, “Prime Minister recently stated that people of India and the rest of the world must visit Kashmir and its Tulip Garden. So PM himself is the brand ambassador of tourism promotion of Kashmir. We are hoping for a bumper tourism season in Kashmir this year.”

He also assured the filmmakers of adequate security while shooting in Kashmir.

He was hopeful that international cargo services will start at the Srinagar International Airport soon so that Kashmir products can reach the international market within the shortest possible time.

He said Jammu and Kashmir was endowed with unparalleled beauty and natural landscapes which have huge potential for tourism.

Earlier tourists were visiting other famous gardens and tourist places of Kashmir. But now the Tulip Garden has become an iconic destination and attraction for them to come and witness the magical experience of 1.5 million fully bloomed flowers of more than 64 varieties planted over 30 hectares in the foothills of Zabarwan.

Sinha called upon the visiting tourists to carry the fragrance of J&K with them and share their memorable experiences with others.