Kashmir gardens rake in Rs 4.5 cr

Eleven gardens in Jammu & Kashmir, including two famous Mughal gardens, have generated entry tax worth Rs 4.54 crore from April 2003 to June 2007.

They were privatised about four years ago through tender by the State Department of Floriculture. Of the 11, ten gardens are in Kashmir while Bagh-e-Bahu Garden is in Jammu.

Nishat in Kashmir generated the highest revenue of Rs 47.60 lakh, Shalimar Rs 21.25 lakh, Achabal Rs 10.17 lakh, Botanical Garden of Kokernag Rs 10.05 lakh, Green Park (Harvan) Rs 8 lakh, Nehru Memorial Botanical garden (Cheshmashai) Rs 20.11 lakh and Children's Park (Srinagar) Rs 3.15 lakh.

An official said due to poor response, fresh tenders had been floated for Bagh-e-Bahu in Jammu, Club Park in Pahalgam and Poshwan Park also in Pahalgam.

The department is yet to decide how to utilise the revenue.

The official said the floriculture department was taking steps to create car parking facilities, a shopping complex and other facilities at vital tourist spots.

The department has its own parking lot at Nehru Memorial garden in Cheshma Shahi and Children's Park in Srinagar.

The Municipal Corporation of Srinagar has made these facilities at Mughal Gardens for tourists coming from various parts of the country and abroad.