With participants emphasising the need to create more facilities commensurate with the increasing flow of tourists to this hill station, particularly during the season, curtains came down on the 10th Rose Show conducted by the Department of Horticulture at the Government Rose Garden here on Sunday.
District Revenue Officer S. Kuppusamy was the chief guest at the valedictory function.
He said that efforts would be made to find a lasting solution to the parking-related problems here. During the current season, parking lots had been created at various places, including Kandal.
The Rose Show had set in motion this summer's fairs and festivals like the floral carnival, the vegetable show and the spices show, which are to follow.
The garden is the pride of the Nilgiris. It features about 3,800 varieties and around 25,000 bushes. The potential to develop the garden is enormous.
The Project Director, Hill Area Development Programme, Deepak Srivastava, said that funds would continue to be given for the development of the Rose Garden, which has the distinction of having the largest collection of roses in the country.
Income generating floriculture projects should be made available to the farming community here.
The Chief Patron, Nilgiris Rose Society, and Vice-Chancellor of the JSS University, B. Suresh, said that as a tourist centre Udhagamandalam was developing fast. He added that better facilities should be provided to the large number of people who are flocking to the town.
The president, NRS, K. Krishnakumar asked the district administration to enhance infrastructure immediately. The need of the hour is a visionary approach.
The Project Officer, District Rural Development Agency, N. Sreenivasan, spoke. The Joint Director of Horticulture in-charge, J. Haldorai, welcomed the gathering.
The Deputy Director of Horticulture, N.S. Dharmalingam, proposed a vote of thanks.
Rose Show winners
Outstanding rose garden (above 500 bushes): Mahboob Alamkhan, Udhagamandalam.
Outstanding rose garden (300 to 500 bushes): The General Manager, Cordite factory, Aruvankadu.
Outstanding rose garden (200 to 300 bushes): Sterling Biotech, Udhagamandalam.
Outstanding Rose garden (100 to 200 bushes): Chettinad House, Coonoor
Outstanding Rose Garden (50 to 100 bushes): Chettinad House, Udhagamandalam
Outstanding Rose Garden (below 50 bushes): S.Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Udhagamandalam
