CHITWAN: Tihar, also considered the festival of flowers and lights, is around the corner. However, the shortage of flowers looms large in Chitwan district.

Most of the flowers to be used during the festival in the district are imported from India as there are not sufficient floriculture farms in the district.

However, this year, the unofficial blockade imposed by India and the ongoing protests in Tarai have obstructed the import.

According to the District Agriculture Development Office, more than 50,000 garlands of marigold and makhmali (globe amaranth) are demanded in the district during the festive season.

According to Ghanashyam Paudel, operator of Aadhar Nursery, the florists generally cultivate flowers other than marigold and makhamali as the two flowers are in demand only during the Tihar.

The total production of flowers in the district can fulfill only half of the total demand of the district.

The entrepreneurs informed that the problem surfaced because of the lack of sufficient production in the district.