KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Valley alone needs 2.5 million garlands for Tihar, the festival of light, colour, and flower.

However, Nepal is importing 300 thousand garlands for the festival time. Every year, the garlands are imported from India.

It has been 23 years the competitive exhibition of Godawari flower (Chrysanthemum). However, Nepal is yet to be self-reliant on flowers.

According to Bishwomani Pokharel, General Secretary at Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN) people living in the capital city need nearly 2.5 million garlands.

FAN Chairman Kumar Kasajoo informed that varieties of flowers amounting Rs 200 million were imported last year. The demand for flowers is growing day by day in Nepal.

Although Nepali flowers are in demand in Tibet, Malaysia, US, and Thailand, Nepal has not been able to produce sufficient flowers. Since 2011, private nurseries were begun and floriculture is expanded to 43 districts across the country now.

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