New Delhi, Feb 18 (Representative) Celebrating the hues of Mother Nature and the fervour of Spring Season, the 35th Garden Tourism Festival started off on Friday at south Delhi’s ‘Garden of Five Senses’. The three day event(February 17 to 19) is being organized by Delhi Tourism in association with the Government of Delhi.Apart from an opportunity to see extra ordinary gardening work in the splendid natural setting of the ‘Garden of Five Senses’ the festival offers separate sections for selling plants(rare, medicinal, aesthetically appealing plants) horticulture equipments, pesticides, fertilizers and other items. This will provide an added advantage for the visitors to buy gardening equipments and saplings under one roof. The festival was inaugurated today by Deputy. Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, in the presence of Niharika Rai, MD & CEO, Delhi Tourism And Transportation Development Corporation Limited(DTTDC), Geetika Sharma, General Manager, DTTDC and other dignitaries.
On the occasion, Dy. CM said that the festival offers a great opportunity to the people to admire nature’s beauty particularly as flowers are blooming in peak season right now.Further, he said this festival can be extended if adequate public interest is seen. He felt that a visit to the festival is an ideal family outing and an opportunity for people to develop insights into the art of gardening and interest in it. He promised that within next two years, the garden will be further beautified. As India assumed the Presidency of the G-20 from December 1, 2022 up to November 30, 2023, hence, this year the theme of the festival is ‘Garden of Unity for G-20’. The venue is spread over 20 acres, it is filled with lush greenery and with innumerable flowers, it is aesthetically appealing and spacious enough for several activities which await visitors. This annual festival presents floral displays, theme gardens, horticultural demonstrations and other activities. All the exhibits during GTF are evaluated by judges having dominion knowledge of respective horticulture area. The Garden Tourism Festival is a great platform for Garden lovers to meet, interact and showcase their work.
This year some of the major participants at the festival are the horticulture departments of NDMC, DJB, SDMC, Northern Railways, Archaeological Survey of India, CPWD, Hero Moto Corp and others.Competitions would be organized in 32 categories such as potted plants, Dahlia, Hanging Baskets, Foliages Plants, Cactus and Succulents, Aromatic / Herbal and Medicinal Plant, Bonsai Plants of different specifications, Bougainvillea, Floral Animal, Tray Garden, Theme Garden, Annual cut flowers in earthen vases, Vegetables Flower Decoration, Flower arrangements and roses etc.All the exhibits during Garden Tourism Festival would be evaluated by judges having domain knowledge.Highlights of 35th Garden Tourism Festival:-1) Over 300 varieties of plants are on display.2) Display of Terrariums, Floral Animals, Potted Plants, Foliage, Medicinal & HerbalPlants, Hanging Baskets, Dahlia, Roses, Cacti, Bonsai, Bougainvillea, cut flowers,nursery stalls etc.3) Sale of flowers, plants, organic items, books, medicinal plants, gardeningaccessories, etc.4) Cultural Performances by various academies of Delhi Govt.5) Activities like Magic show, On the spot painting competition for children.In order to facilitate visitors, Delhi Tourism is providing free Shuttle Service from Saket Metro Station (T-Point) to the venue and back.