The Karnataka Government on Monday opened a 40-acre botanical garden at Fern Hills near Udhagamandalam.

Developed by the Karnataka Horticulture Department, the garden was earlier a horticulture repository. But as it had lost its charm, the State decided to convert it into a botanical garden.

Inaugurating the garden, Karnataka Horticulture Minister S.S. Mallikarjun said it was the first time in the country that a State had opened a tourist spot in a neighbouring State. “This will strengthen the bond between the people of two States,” he said.