The Vasantotsav-Spring Festival, 2019 was inaugurated by the Governor Baby Rani Maurya at the Raj Bhawan here on Saturday. The two-day floral exhibition and competition was inaugurated amidst the rendition of folk musical instruments. A special postal cover was also issued by the postal department to mark the occasion. The Governor also inaugurated a postal stamp exhibition set up by the postal department Dehradun circle on the occasion.
After inaugurating the event, the Governor went around the various floral exhibits along with the stalls of cottage enterprises and handicrafts set up for the event. The Governor also presented mementos to the differently abled children participating in the painting competition held on the occasion.
Speaking to media persons during the event, the Governor said that the main aim of the flower exhibition is to encourage the native farmers to take up the cultivation of flowers. Appreciating the varied floral exhibits set up in the event, she said that it appeared as if a valley of flowers had been transported to Dehradun. The State’s Agriculture and Horticulture Minister Subodh Uniyal was also present on the occasion.
According to officials, in this year’s Spring Festival, there are 494 entries in the cut flowers (traditional) category, 99 in cut flower (non-traditional), 24 in potted plants category, 31 in loose flowers category, 54 in potted plants (other than flowers) category, 27 in cactus category, 17 in hanging plants category, 150 in on the spot photography, 27 in fresh petal rangoli and 808 participants in the painting competition. A total 1,731 persons are participating in various competitions being held as part of the Spring Festival. A total of about 150 prizes will be presented to winners of first three positions in various categories.
Horticulture director RC Srivastav informed that prior to creation of Uttarakhand State in 2,000, only 150 hectares was under flower cultivation which has now increased to 1,533 hectares. Rose, marigold, tuberose, gerbera, coronation, gladiolus, lilium and orchids among other flowers are being cultivated commercially. Presently about 2539 metric tonnes of loose flowers (rose, marigold, tuberose etc) and 15.50 crore cut flowers are being produced in the State. The floriculture business in Uttarakhand amounts to about Rs 200 crore. He further informed that 32 departments are also participating in the two-day Spring Festival.