Srinagar, Mar 20 (KNO): On the eve of its opening Tourism Department Saturday organised a cultural programme on the lawns of famous Badamwari garden in downtown Srinagar.
Apart from witnessing the visitors across the valley, the almond garden ideally gets flocked with locals in summer, with families could be seen taking the traditional Kashmiri nun-chai (salt tea) with snacks.
The famed garden is set to open on 21 March on the Navroz eve, which also marks the arrival of the spring season in the valley.
On the occasion Commissioner Secretary Tourism Sarmad Hafeez while speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said, the opening of Garden is among the initiatives of Tourism Department where all locals and tourists can enjoy the picturesque and almond bloom garden.
On the start of night flight operations from Srinagar Airport, Hafeez said extended flying hours is a positive development.
"People associated with trade and travel had been demanding it. This is really going to add more into the tourism in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
On Bollywood coming to the valley Hafeez said that the film industry has shown great enthusiasm shoot in the valley.
"After the Tulip Festival, Tourism Department has a meeting with top Bollywood Producers who have shown keen interest in shooting the films in the valley," he said. "It is time for Bollywood to relive the love of celluloid cameras which Bollywood had with a valley in the early 80s."
Director Tourism Dr G. N. Itoo told KNO that Tourism Department after the successful winter tourism, is all up in preparations for summer season.
"With the arrival of spring, the famous Badamwari garden is all set to be open for locals as well as tourists. After which a grand festival will be organised by the Tourism department on the opening of Tulip Garden," he said.
Director Floriculture, CEO Gulmarg, former director of Information Kh. Farooq Renzu Shah and other officials were also present on the occasion—(KNO)