The J&K Government on Wednesday opened Asia's largest Tulip garden on the banks of Srinagar's Dal Lake for tourists and local residents, marking the start of this year's tourism season in the Valley.

Around a week ago, the state government had announced March 29th as the date of opening the 15-hectare renovated garden in the foothills of Zabarwan Range.  But the huge number of tourists for this weekend forced the government to open the garden ahead of the set time.

Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Minister for Floriculture, officially opened the garden for the visitors.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Tourism Gulam Ahmad Mir said, "There is no reduction in tourist flow expected as cancellations have not been reported from any side."

Last Sunday, Mr.  Mir had said that tourism was the backbone of the state's economy and not an enemy of anybody.

Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, Minister of State for Floriculture, was also present on the occasion.  He stressed that tourism is backbone of the state's economy and appealed all stakeholders to help create a realistic atmosphere in the state to attract more and more tourists.

The garden boasts more than 1.5 million tulips and 80 varieties of the exotic flower, which attract tourists from all over the world.  The floriculture department has planted nearly 3 lakh more bulbs of twenty-four new varieties to make the garden more attractive.