The Himalayan variety of Tulip discovered for the first time in the Pithoragarh district.

BD Kasniyal
GG News Bureau
Pithoragarh, 26th May. The Himalayan variety of the Tulip flower has been discovered for the first time in Pithoragarh region which has delighted the forest department. This Himalayan variety of tulip looks alike like the one imported from Netherland, said the forest official.
According the local villagers from Pithoragarh this Tulip variety known as Bhitaru and it flowers in month of March in different shades and colours.
According to the Dr Vinay Bhargav DFO Pithoragarh the variety comes into blooming in the month of march in different colours and looks exactly like the tulip flower being imported from Netherland.
The initiative of the forest department to improve the breed of the wild Himalayan variety of Tulip by planting it with the foreign variety has started paying rich dividend pays in Pithoragarh district.
The magnificent Tulip flower considered as species of Holland, (Netherlands) is also is found in the Himalayan region that grows in wild, said Vinay Bhargava the DFO Pithoragarh, who has recently started an initiative to improve the breed of wild Himalayan variety of Tulip by planting it with that of foreign variety.
“The local variety of Tulip is described in Kumaon Himalayan flora of British era; it’s Botanical name is recorded as Tulip stellata in the dictionary.” said the DFO.
According to DFO, the Himalayan wild Tulip is a big genetic resource for further research that can be used to improve hybrids varieties of Tulip for use in local ornamental gardens in future.
“While 1.5 feet long stem of Holland Tulip fades and becomes short in the second year, the local Himalayan variety remains equally bright in the second year as well. “said the DFO
According to the DFO Pithoragarh, the fact became well known when his team was working on a project in Munsiyari on protecting the erosive nature of local soil where wild spinach species was spreading rapidly. “The experiment to protect the soil with ornamental plants instead of big trees paid off successfully and we could protect the soil by planting 36 local ornamental varieties including a wild variety of Himalayan Tulip.” said the DFO.