‘Rush of visitors has completely dried up in even famous parks, gardens’
Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, July 25: The COVID-19 lockdown has badly hit the revenue generation of floriculture department from various famed parks located in south Kashmir, officials said.
The lockdown which has hit almost every sector in Jammu and Kashmir has cast a shadow on the revenue generated from parks maintained by floriculture department.
Officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that due to Covid-19 lockdown, the revenue generated from parks under floriculture sector is just around two percent as compared to last years.
Pahalgam, Floriculture department which has seven parks that include Poshwan Park, Akad Park, Ashmuqam Park, Lidder view Park, Club Park and Island park under its control have generated a revenue of less than one lack which generated over Rs 35 lakhs last year.
“Despite clampdown after August 05 last year, these seven major parks in south Kashmir region generated revenue of around Rs 35 lakh (last year). However, this year the revenue generated is abysmally low,” Assistant Director Floriculture, Mohammed Hussain told KNO.
“This year due to the less flow of tourists and locals, these parks have hardly generated any revenue,” he added. “Same is the case of famous Kokernag, Verinag and Achabal as the revenue generated from these parks is also very low this year due to Covid-19 lockdown.”
Zaheer Ahmed, Floriculture officer under whom Achabal, Kokernag and Verinag parks are said that from March to August 05 last year, these three parks generated an amount of over Rs 50 lakhs however from March till date this year the revenue generated is below Rs 1 lakh.
“After the government decided to open parks and gardens, a large number of people started to visit the parks which created some enthusiasm here. But after Covid-19 cases witnessed a surge, the flow of visitors dried up completely,” he added.
Notably, the government spends lakhs on maintenance of these parks to attract more and more tourists as well as locals.
Pertinently, Asia’s Largest Tulip Garden located at the foothills of Zabarwan hills in Srinagar witnessed zero flow of tourists this year due to lock down. The lockdown resulted in loss worth crores as no visitor could make it to the famed garden—(KNO)
