Palampur’s CSIR-IHBT Tulip Garden, framed by the snow-capped Dhauladhar peaks, is scripting a vibrant chapter in Himachal Pradesh’s tourism story. Debuting as the state’s first tulip haven and India’s second after Kashmir, it’s a riot of colors drawing massive footfalls.
Entering its fourth successful season, the garden opened on February 10 and has already captivated over 70,000 tourists. Officials anticipate up to 1.5 lakh visitors this time, building on previous years’ one-lakh-plus records.
‘Over 70,000 have marveled at the blooms already,’ beamed CSIR-IHBT Director Dr. Sudesh Kumar Yadav. ‘Expectations are high for a record-breaking season.’
Tourists rave about the experience. One visitor gushed, ‘Palampur feels like a slice of Holland amidst the Himalayas – kudos to the institute!’ It all started in 2018 with Dutch bulb imports, evolving into extensive local propagation experiments.
The institute’s efforts in nurturing tulip varieties for commercial viability have paid off, creating a fully homegrown garden. This achievement positions Palampur as a floral powerhouse, second only to Kashmir’s famed Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden.
Beyond the visual feast, the garden underscores sustainable agriculture in challenging terrains, fostering jobs and attracting nature lovers year after year.