Ladakh Begins Development of India’s Highest Commercial Lilium Flower Field

Leh, Jul 16: Ladakh has commenced the development of India’s highest commercial Lilium cultivation field at Choglamsar in Leh, marking a major step towards establishing the Union Territory as a high-altitude floriculture hub and creating new livelihood opportunities for local farmers, women and self-help groups. Over the past three days, more than 50,000 premium Lilium bulbs have been planted at the site, with the first flowering expected in the first week of September. Spread across 93,000 square metres on the banks of the River Sindhu, the Choglamsar Flower Field is being developed as one of the country’s largest organised high-altitude floriculture parks. Located at an altitude of around 3,265 metres, it will surpass the existing highest flower cultivation site at Mana in Uttarakhand, situated at approximately 3,200 metres. The project is being implemented by the Agriculture Department with scientific and technical support from the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena laid the foundation stone for the project on June 22, 2026. The initiative aims to cultivate premium-quality Lilium flowers, which command high prices in domestic and international markets, providing a sustainable source of income for Ladakh’s farming community through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and cooperative societies. The project aligns with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi”, which seeks to strengthen cooperative institutions, generate sustainable employment and improve the incomes of farmers and women. Besides boosting floriculture, the flower park is also expected to emerge as a new tourist attraction in the region. Under the project, the Agriculture Department will initially develop and manage the flower field before transferring its operations to selected SHGs and cooperatives during the flowering season. The department will provide training and support in cultivation, harvesting, value addition and marketing to help local groups access high-value domestic and international flower markets. Officials said Ladakh’s cold climate offers ideal conditions for Lilium cultivation, with the bulbs thriving in temperatures ranging between minus 4°C and 4°C. Another advantage is that the bulbs naturally multiply after three years, increasing future production without additional investment. Highlighting the significance of the initiative, LG Vinai Kumar Saxena said Ladakh’s climate, often considered a challenge, is one of its greatest strengths. “By introducing commercial Lilium cultivation, we are opening a new source of income for farmers, women and youth. Our vision is to transform Ladakh into a high-altitude floriculture hub where scientific cultivation, value addition and strong market linkages create sustainable livelihoods,” he said. Lilium is among the world’s most popular cut flowers due to its ornamental value and long shelf life, with premium varieties fetching ₹150 to ₹200 per stem in domestic retail markets.