The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Kashmir (SKUAST-K) is considering promoting its unique autumn garden of Chrysanthemum flowers, locally known as Gul-e-Dawood, for winter tourism.
The garden, located within the varsity campus in Shalimar, was inaugurated for the first time last year and has seen several additions this year to enhance its appeal for visitors.
Dr. Zahoor Bhat, a senior scientist in SKUAST-K’s Division of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, said that the garden has been extended by 5 kanals this year.
“The garden now spans 10 kanals, compared to 5 kanals last year,” he said, adding that the number of flower varieties has increased from 41 to 95.
The Chrysanthemum, a resilient winter plant locally called Gul-e-Dawood, boasts around 177 species and is prized both for its medicinal properties and as a cut flower. As a pot mum plant, it can also be cultivated in vases, adding charm to lawns, gardens, and residential spaces.
Officials at SKUAST-K explained that Chrysanthemum blooms in winter, when other deciduous plants in Kashmir shed their leaves and wither.
They hope to promote the Chrysanthemum garden to attract tourists, offering them a unique visual delight during Kashmir’s winter season.
“The university will prepare a DPR for submission to the government to support promoting the autumn garden for tourism,” Dr. Zahoor added, noting that the initiative could provide winter enchantment to tourists, much like the Tulip Garden does in spring.
The autumn garden opened to visitors on November 4 and will remain open until December 21. During this period, visitors can also purchase hybrid flower seedlings and ornamental plants.
The garden saw a good turnout of visitors in its initial days, and a further increase in visitors is anticipated in the coming days.
