Chattogram: As the monsoon gradually recedes and autumn arrives, nature puts on one of its most familiar displays with the blooming of white 'Kashful' (Saccharum spontaneum) along riverbanks, canals, ponds, char lands, and vacant plots.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the sight of a vast blue sky dotted with white clouds and waves of 'Kashful' swaying in the breeze has long been regarded as a defining feature of autumn in Bangladesh. In the bustling port city of Chattogram, where high-rise buildings, heavy traffic, and the daily rush dominate the landscape, patches of snow-white 'Kashful' are offering residents a refreshing glimpse of nature.
Every year, an expansive 'Kashful' meadow emerges naturally on vacant plots in the CDA's Anannya Residential Area beside the Oxygen-Kuaish connecting road. Once again this autumn, the meadow has drawn nature lovers, young people, families, and leisure seekers from different parts of the city.
The white blooms can also be seen along stretches of the Karnaphuli River and beside the under-construction Chaktai-Kalurghat road, as well as in parts of Patenga, Akbarshah, and Kalurghat. But the large meadow at Anannya Residential Area appears to be the biggest attraction for city dwellers.
The site is neither a planned park nor a landscaped garden. The 'Kashful' grows naturally on plots where buildings are yet to be constructed. When the wind blows, thousands of white plumes sway together, creating an almost wave-like effect and giving the impression of a vast white carpet spread across the city.
From morning to afternoon, rickshaws, motorcycles, and private cars can be seen arriving near the meadow. Visitors come with families, children, or groups of friends. While some simply stop to enjoy the scenery, many take photographs and record videos amid the flowers.
Children are particularly fascinated by the meadow. They run through the patches of 'Kashful', hold their parents' hands, and pose for photographs beside the delicate white plumes.
Shilpi Rani, a resident of Chawkbazar, told BSS that the growing number of buildings and vehicles in the city has reduced opportunities for children to experience nature. "The city is now filled with nothing but buildings and vehicles. Opportunities to take children close to nature have dwindled. They are delighted to see the 'Kashful' flowers here, so I bring them along whenever I find the time," she said.
The popularity of 'Kashful' fields has also received a boost from social media. Once mostly associated with rural Bengal, the seasonal flowers have become a popular natural backdrop for photographs and videos among urban youths.
Visitors, many dressed in saris, panjabis, and fatuas, arrive carrying smartphones and cameras to capture the autumn scenery. Groups of friends pose among the flowers and record videos to share on social media platforms.
Tanzila Hossain, who came from Jamalkhan with her friends, told BSS that the meadow offered a setting far removed from the city's usual urban landscape. "Being here makes me feel like I'm no longer in the city. Photos taken in front of the 'Kashful' flowers turn out beautifully unique. That's why I came here with my friends for a photoshoot. It's a living, natural backdrop; the afternoon light makes the 'Kashful' look stunning in pictures," she said.
As the afternoon progresses, the meadow attracts visitors of all ages, including elderly people, parents, and children. Some quietly watch the flowers moving in the breeze, while others recall memories of autumn in their villages.
For many city residents who grew up seeing 'Kashful' along village roads, riverbanks, and open fields, the seasonal bloom in an urban setting offers a nostalgic connection to their childhood. A middle-aged visitor said that he used to visit 'Kashful' fields in his village every autumn but rarely gets the opportunity to see them now after moving to the city. "Coming here makes me feel as though those childhood days have returned," he said.
The scientific name of 'Kashful' is Saccharum spontaneum. It is a perennial grass-like plant that grows naturally on fallow and open land in Bangladesh. In Chattogram, it is locally known as 'Koicha' or 'Koiccha'.