sanasar

Situated amid lush green woods with trekking trails, Jammu's first tulip garden at Sanasar is attracting nature enthusiasts from all over the country.

Sanasar is located in Ramban district of Jammu region with the snow-clad Nathatop peak in the backdrop.

"This is the first tulip garden of Jammu region and second after the tulip garden of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. The first tulip garden of Jammu has come up at Sanasar health resort", Minister of State for Tourism, Priya Sethi told PTI.

Sethi declared the tulip garden open for the public on March 29.  The garden has been developed by the Floriculture Department.

She said efforts are being made to promote diverse tourism opportunities in the region and the tulip garden is one such effort.

There are no time restrictions and no fee is being charged from tourists visiting the garden.

Joint Director of Floriculture department Pran Dulloo said that around 18,000 flowers have been grown in a terrace bed and 4,000 in another lower bed at the garden for the second consecutive year.

The garden has been set up on half an acre area of land adjacent to the Sanasar lake, Dulloo said.

This year, only red, yellow and white tulips have been grown here. However, from the next year, more flowers of various colours are expected to be added, said Mohammed Amin Wani, a gardener.

He said tulips are expected to survive for about a month only. Also, they have bloomed a week earlier as compared to last year due to warmer winter this year, Wani added.

Tulip, which has its origin in Persia (Iran), was introduced in Europe in 17th century, where it had been developed in different varieties. Holland is the largest producer of tulips.

Sunita Kadam, who came from Pune to visit Sanasar along with her family, said, "I am so happy to visit the garden. Earlier I saw tulip garden of Srinagar on TV and had a desire to visit there".

Sunita, who was on trip of Mata Vaishnodevi to pay obeisance, came to know about the tulip garden here and decided to visit the place.

"When I got to know about the Tulip Garden at Sanasar, I immediately decided to visit it. We took a cab from Patnitop and came here. It was dream come true" she said.

Shailesh Nandu, who is from Gujarat, said, "I wanted to go to Kashmir to see tulips. Now that desire if fulfilled. I am very happy to visit this lake resort. I will now bring my family here".

Vitasta Raina, who came from Jammu along with her family to visit the garden, said, "Locals should come from Jammu and other districts of Jammu region and enjoy not only the beauty of Sanasar with its lake, meadows, trekking trails, boating and horse riding but also get glimpse of tulips now".

Situated at an altitude of 2050 metres above sea level, just 17 kms from Patnitop, Sanasar is one of the remotest areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

Sanasar is also the aero-adventure capital of Jammu region offering activities like paragliding, parasailing and hot-air balloon rides.

"Sanasar is a sports-adventure paradise as one gets avenues for learning and practicing these skilled sports.Sanasar is a very popular adventure-sports destination of India nevertheless", a Tourism department officer said.

Sanasar, also known as a mini Gulmarg, is a cup-shaped green meadow which is encompassed by tall, imposing cedars.

A part of Sanasar has also been developed as a golf course.        

The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department promotes and controls adventure sports including paragliding, hot-air-balloon rides, rock climbing, trekking in Sanasar and provides sports gear as well for those who want to indulge in these activities.