Anantnag, April 04: The trial tulip cultivation at the Mountain Crop Research Station (MCRS) in Sagam area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district was vandalised by miscreants during the intervening night of April 3 and 4, officials confirmed Friday.
According to Mohammad Ayoub Mantoo, Head of MCRS Sagam, the Centre of Excellence for Tulip Bulb Production was targeted in an act of sabotage, resulting in extensive damage.
“The tulip bulb cultivation trial covered five kanals of land, and more than 80 percent of the tulips have been destroyed,” Mantoo said. “People had started visiting to see the bloom, and several local street vendors were earning their livelihood here. Everything was progressing smoothly until it was vandalised overnight.”
He added that the police have taken cognisance of the incident, and action against the miscreants is expected in the coming days. A police official confirmed that public property has been vandalised. “Investigation has been started to identify those responsible,” he said, wishing not to be named.
The incident comes just a day after SKUAST-K Vice Chancellor visited the station, highlighting its significance as a mountain research hub. Sagam is being developed as a Centre of Excellence for tulip bulb production, aimed at sustaining the renowned Srinagar Tulip Garden.
“This project was launched this year with the objective of producing local tulip bulbs to support Srinagar’s tulip garden. We planted 50,000 bulbs this season, sourced from the Department of Floriculture. Over the next two to three years, we aim to develop one million tulip bulbs locally using advanced research and university technology, working in collaboration with farmers,” the Vice Chancellor said
