By IANS,
Kolkata : Flower growers from the US and number of European and Asian countries will take part in country’s largest flower exhibition in Sikkim from Feb 23, a minister said here Wednesday.
Pitching Sikkim as a potential floriculture destination, the five-day second International Flower Show will be held in the well-landscaped 10 acres Saramsa Gardens, 12 km from the state capital Gangtok in East Sikkim district.
“This is the biggest flower exhibition in the country and will promote Sikkim as a potential floriculture destination and organic produce market. It will also provide international exposure to our local growers,” said Sikkim’s Minister of Tourism Bhim Prasad Dhungel.
With 15,000 flowers of various species, the floral extravaganza will see participation of 25 international flora companies, 30 national flora companies and 190 flower growers’ organisations in the state under one roof.
“Flower-growers from Australia, New Zealand, Holland, the US, Taiwan, Nepal and Thailand have confirmed their participation in the flower show. We have also invited Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) at the festival,” said Dhungel.
Themed on ‘Sikkim- Nature’s own garden’, the mega show will attract a total of 2,00,000 domestic and international flower lovers. The Cymbidium orchid will be theme flower.
“We expect a bigger turnout than last time. Besides the flower show we are expecting a huge footfall for the Buddha Park slated to be inaugurated in March in East Sikkim,” said Dhungel.
The show is being organised by the Sikkim government in partnership with union ministry of agriculture, ministry of development of northeastern region, National Horticulture Board and North Eastern Council.