Bhaderwah foxglove bloom draws eco-tourists to Jammu and Kashmir valley
Vast stretches of white, pink and purple foxglove flowers are drawing eco-tourists and flower enthusiasts to Jammu and Kashmir's Bhaderwah valley, where the European species
Vast stretches of white, pink and purple foxglove flowers are drawing eco-tourists and flower enthusiasts to Jammu and Kashmir's Bhaderwah valley, where the European species is flourishing naturally in the Himalayan landscape. The bloom has also prompted locals and tourism stakeholders to call for the region to be as a distinctive floral destination. Officials said digitalis purpurea, commonly known as foxglove and native to Europe and parts of the Mediterranean region, has spread across large patches of high-altitude meadows and slopes in Bhaderwah. The flowers are currently in full bloom in Jaie Valley, Guldanda, Thanthera, Hanga, Padri, Bhal Padri, Khanni Top and Bach Dhar, as well as along the upper reaches of the Bhaderwah-Pathankot and Bhaderwah-Chamba inter-state highways. Read Full Story Akshay Paul, a tourist from Maharashtra, said he was "taken aback" after seeing foxglove on both sides of the road along the nearly 35-kilometre stretch from Basti to Chattergalla.
"Until now, I believed these flowers only grew in Europe. This experience has become the highlight of our trip and will remain a cherished memory," he said. Kavita, a flower enthusiast from Nagpur, said she travelled to Bhaderwah specifically after learning about the flowers online. "I came here especially to see foxglove after discovering that Bhaderwah is among the few places in India where these flowers grow in such abundance. Their beauty and vast spread make this destination a must-visit for flower lovers," she said. Another visitor, Simriti Sharma, described the experience as "a fairy tale" and said that if projected properly, it could become the next major attraction for Jammu and Kashmir's tourism industry. Adventure tourism operators have urged the authorities to make use of the natural phenomenon and market Bhaderwah as a seasonal flower tourism destination.
Vikas Sharma, an adventure tour organiser from Bhaderwah, said visitors to Jaie Valley and other meadow destinations are increasingly being drawn to the blooms. "Many tourists are fascinated by the foxglove flowers and some even extend their stay to explore the flowering landscapes. However, little has been done so far to promote this natural asset," he said. Sharma added that while significant resources are spent on developing seasonal flower attractions elsewhere, Bhaderwah has naturally occurring stretches of foxglove blooms spread across miles of landscape for nearly three months every year, from April until the end of June. "If properly, foxglove can emerge as the next major tourism attraction in Jammu and Kashmir, offering a unique experience for visitors," he added. Bhaderwah Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Sanjeev Sharma said studies suggest that foxglove seeds may have been introduced to the valley by European travellers in the early 19th century.
The BriefWire