Source: www.ddinews.gov.in
HARIDWAR, INDIA, January 7, 2010: With millions of people expected to attend the Mahakumbh Mela at Haridwar, farmers in Uttarakhand are gearing up to meet the demand for flowers, which is expected to do a business of US$100 million during the nearly four-month period.
Over sixty million people, including thousands from foreign countries, are expected to throng Haridwar during the period, Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said. The demand for flowers will rise manifold as hundreds of temples on the banks of river Ganga will be decorated with flowers besides being offered by pilgrims to Deities.
Scientist at the Centre for Aromatic Plant, Nripendra Chauhan said that Floriculture was encouraged in place of traditional crops in certain areas, including Haridwar and Chamoli, by providing plants and seeds free of cost to farmers. The Uttarakhand Horticulture Department said that over 1 million saplings were distributed across the state and 4,565 hectares allocated for flower farming.
The Maha Kumbha Mela begins on 14th January and will continue until 28th April.