Khulna: A quiet green revolution is gradually transforming Khulna as rooftop gardening has emerged as a popular urban lifestyle amid the growing concrete jungle and fast-paced city life. Once limited to a few hobbyists, rooftop gardens are now increasingly visible on residential and high-rise buildings across the divisional city. Spending leisure time with family amid greenery on rooftops has become a refreshing part of urban life for many residents.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, beyond recreation and aesthetic appeal, rooftop gardens are also creating opportunities for nutritional security and economic self-reliance. Residents are growing vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, and green chillies, as well as fruits including mangoes, dragon fruits, and malta, in limited spaces on rooftops and balconies.
Prominent rooftop gardener Dr Amirul Khasru is one of the pioneers of the practice in Khulna. He has developed a collection of around 1,100 to 1,200 rare plants over nearly two and a half decades. Talking to BSS, Dr Amirul Khasru, a cardiology specialist in Khulna city, said his journey began in 2000 when he learned about plant care and bonsai techniques by reading books and started gardening as a hobby. His collection includes rare plants such as purple krishnachura, weeping tamarind, blue bell, ruby longan, and cardamom lemon. He has personally nurtured and developed bonsai trees that are nearly two decades old.