Tourism department to develop flower valley in Patnitop circuit
Banking on the potential of flower cultivation for spurring tourism, biodiversity and socio-economic development, the tourism department is going to develop a flower valley in the mesmerizing Patnitop Tourism Circuit and have planted over ninety thousand flowering plants since last year over an area of 12.50 acres.
Sharing the details, Thakur Sher Singh, Chief Executive Officer Patnitop Development Authority (PDA) said that realizing the potential of flowers for socio- socio-economic growth we teamed up with experts from different domains and Panchayati Raj Institutions to herald the project ‘Flower Valley’ in our jurisdiction.
Furthermore Singh said millions of flowers are sold, processed into oils, dyes, edibles, beverages, medicines, cosmetics, incense sticks, powders and various other value-added products with great economical value, which prompt us to utilize its worth.
“In the initial phase of the project, some ninety thousand seedlings of flowering plants, mostly lavender, have been planted since last year over an area of 12.50 acres,” he adds.
He added that 70 thousand lavenders procured from Doda District of Jammu and Kashmir UT, have been planted at multiple locations of the PDA jurisdiction in the months of September-October, 2022.
Other flowering plants including varieties of Cosmos, Marigold, have been planted as per their appropriate seasons in the years 2021 and 2022.
As some of these seedlings planted around the ancient Mani Mahesh Temple, situated enroute Nathatop, burst into flowers and visitors are stopping by to capture their stunning sight and scent.
Singh further said that full bloom is expected to most likely occur in the months of March-April, 2023 when Sanasar Lake witnesses the annual Tulip Festival, celebrating the brief appearance of colourful Tulip bulbs.
Given the highly conducive climate and soil of this region, various kinds of flowers, especially perennial flowers, will be planted at different locations under the Project Flower Valley in the coming times.
“Furthermore, it will provide plenty of opportunities for new, young and innovative entrepreneurs to start flower-based initiatives and provide gainful employment to the locals. From flower farming to flower selling to flower processing, locals can venture into the huge flower industry however they like,” he maintained.
Explaining the calculations, the officer says that 70 thousand flowering plants produce approximately 156 litres of oil per year, which is sold at a rate of Rs.1500 per litre. This brings a revenue generation amounting to Rs.23,40,000 in a year. In addition, these plants produce approximately 4,50,000 seedlings in a year which when sold at a rate of Rs.5 per seedling, will bring a revenue generation of Rs.22,50,000 in a year.
That is, a yearly revenue generation of Rs.45,90,000 only from oil extraction and sale of seeds or seedlings of flowering plants.
The project will come to fruition in atleast three years. In twelve years, the number will rise to Rs.5,50,80,000.
Applauding the Project Flower Valley, Parkash Chand, BDC Chairman Chenani, said that this is the first-of-its-kind flower-based project introduced in Jammu Division, which will not only boost the tourism in the Patnitop Tourism Circuit, but will also spark entrepreneurship, provide rural employment, encourage returning to agriculture, increase revenues, boost biodiversity, and bring in holistic development.
