Tulilps, roses to enthrall visitors in hill resort Pahalgam

The famous hill resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir, which serves as a base camp for the annual Amarnath yatra, will have an added attraction for the visitors in the coming months in the shape of tulips, a rose garden and an expanded zoo.
This was disclosed at a meeting of the Pahalgam Development Authority chaired by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
The meeting was informed that the Department of Floriculture has started raising tulip bulbs on experimental basis at the resort and are expected to bloom in the coming days, an official spokesman said.
He said a rose garden with around 200 varieties has come up in the bowl and is expected to fully bloom this year, adding to the charm of the place.

Another park at Yanner, spread over 60 kanals (7.5 acre) of land, is being developed for which the necessary papers have been sent to the concerned departments, the spokesman said.
In order to provide an added attraction to nature lovers, the chief minister directed expansion of the mini zoo at Pahalgam by the Wildlife Department for which funds have been earmarked under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).

She directed the Tourism Department to roll out a year- long calendar of activities, including a snow festival on a larger scale at the resort.
The chief minister also directed setting up a camp office of the Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Srinagar at Pahalgam to put the place in the institutional portfolio of the institute.

Addressing the meeting, Mehbooba vouched for compliance of Pahalgam master plan to ensure that no violation takes place.
She said strict action be taken against the persons found involved in land encroachment and if need be lodging FIRs against the accused.
Mehbooba directed pacing up of the process of setting up a new hospital, TRC and underground cabling at the tourist resort.
She was informed that land has been identified at Lidroo village of Langanbal for setting up of a new hospital for Pahalgam and it is being processed accordingly, the spokesman said.
The Chief Minister also directed that the Golf Course be maintained as per the highest professional standards and get the requisite machinery for the purpose.

She asked for immediate restoration of 85 catch basins at the Golf Course, the spokesman said.
The Chief Minister directed the wildlife and forest departments to streamline and simplify the permission for reconstructions within their limits in respect of people living originally there.
She emphasised undertaking soil erosion works and macadamization of roads and lanes in the town besides installation and operationalisation of high mast and street lights at prominent places in the tourist resort.