SRINAGAR: In a bid to promote Horticulture tourism, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, today kick started Spring Blossom Festival at Center of Excellence, Zawoora in Srinagar.
Vice Chairperson Jammu and Kashmir, Khadi Village Industries Board KVIB), Dr Hinna Shafi Bhat was also present on the occasion.
The festival is being organized by the Horticulture department Kashmir in a bid to woo tourists and promote unique horticulture affluence of the region. The Center will be kept open from 21st March to 15th of April for general public and will showcase blossom of world class high density exotic fruit plants.
The main attraction of the programme was display of world class high density planting material besides exhibition of different fruits and latest Horticulture machinery.
Divisional Commissioner and VC inspected the stalls and interacted with the farmers and entrepreneurs who had come from various districts to participate in the event.
Divisional Commissioner, while speaking on the occasion, said that the aim of the festival is to attract tourists and increase the income of the farmers. He urged upon the farmers and other entrepreneurs to take advantage of various government schemes.
Emphasizing that government of India is bringing a tremendous transformation in the development scenario of Jammu and Kashmir, VC KVIB said that people should take full advantage of the interventions and subsidy schemes of Horticulture, KVIB and other departments.
She exuded hope that the present day youth will be the drivers of the change as they are at the fore front in adopting new technological interventions in the field.
Director General, Horticulture Kashmir, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, in his welcome address gave a brief about the festival saying that the aim behing holding the event was to divert attention of the tourists to Horti-Tourism apart from other locations. He said that Horti-tourism is a first of its kind approach in Jammu and Kashmir for strengthening farmers’ economy.
He said that aim of the festival is to introduce world class variety of plants to the farmers in order to increase production.
