Stakeholders attributed the decline in footfall to the ongoing conflict in West Asia and the lingering impact of last year’s militant attack in Pahalgam | Photo Credit: IMRAN NISSAR

Asia’s largest tulip garden in Srinagar will close to the public from the evening of April 16 as the bloom season comes to an end with visitor numbers this year significantly lower than last season.

The decision to shut the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden was taken following recommendations by the Tulip Committee and a team of experts, according to a notice issued by the Directorate of Floriculture, Gardens and Parks, Kashmir.

Stakeholders attributed the decline in footfall to the ongoing conflict in West Asia and the lingering impact of last year’s militant attack in Pahalgam, which they said had dampened tourist inflows.

About 340,000 people visited the garden between its opening on March 16 and April 13, an official from the department said. The figure compares with roughly 855,125 visitors recorded during the same period last year, reflecting a sharp drop in turnout.

“Despite the lower turnout, the garden remained a key attraction during the spring season,” the official said.

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Spread over an area of 30 hectares at the foothills of the Zabarwan range overlooking Dal Lake, the garden features around 70 varieties of tulips. It was established in 2008 to extend Kashmir’s tourism season beyond the summer months and has since become a major draw for visitors during spring.

Qazi Tauseef, spokesperson for the Kashmir Economic Alliance, a coalition representing more than a dozen trade bodies, including traders, transporters and hoteliers, said geopolitical tensions had weighed on the tourism sector.

“The Iran conflict has led to a reduced inflow of tourists. Unusually high airfares have discouraged budget and middle-class travellers, making Kashmir less accessible at a time when affordability plays a crucial role in travel planning,” he said.

He added that the lingering psychological impact of the Pahalgam attack had affected tourist confidence, particularly among domestic visitors, with many adopting a cautious approach before planning trips to the region this season.

Published on April 14, 2026