Jammu’s Flower Garden awaiting visitors

Dear Editor,
The Flower Garden at Bhour Camp in Jammu, which was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, on March 31, 2008, with the hope that it would become a major tourist destination of region, is now crying for immediate attention.
The garden, which was raised at a cost of Rs 8.5 crore on 563 kanals of land on the pattern of famous Tulip Garden in Kashmir valley, is still waiting for tourists and its promotion.
The hope with which the garden was inaugurated to promote tourism in Jammu has completely died down because the concerned authorities seem to be least bothered about its maintenance, completing work and attracting tourists.
Even after 12 years, flower garden is nowhere in any map or any promotional event. Ironically, instead of developing the flower garden, with every passing year, poor planning and lack of will on part of political establishment of J&K led to its further downfall.
The flower garden was conceived for the sole purpose of attracting more tourists’ camping in Jammu after performing prayers at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. It has huge potential to attract tourists.
It is unfortunate that on one hand Government claims to promote and boost tourism sector and on the other hand such gardens and other places of interest are being neglected.
It is also pertinent to mention here that work of the garden is still incomplete even after so many years. The concerned agencies are least bothered about the maintenance and completion of works of this garden.
It is high time that the concerned authorities should come forward to promote it as it has the potential to attracts tourists besides boosting the economy. Since, tourist season is about to begin it a request to the concerned authorities to pay attention towards it and make it open for tourists and also put in the tourist map of Jammu and Kashmir, so that tourist coming here can also visit this place.
Som Nath,
Bhour Camp.